Connie Beatenbough, a bus driver in the Pepperell attendance area, won the 20^th Annual School Bus Safety Road-e-o held by Floyd County Schools.  Beatenbough is a regular in the winner’s circle of bus road-e-o competitions.  She won the Georgia title in 2006 and also placed sixth in the 2006 International Road-e-o.  She also qualified to participate in the International competition in the summer of 2005.

The Floyd County Schools Bus Safety Road-e-o is an annual competition that tests the skill and driving knowledge of school bus drivers.  37 bus drivers from Floyd County Schools rode the range for school bus safety in this year’s Bus Safety Road-e-o held on, Friday, April 25^th.  The Road-e-o event took place in the parking lot across from the Board of Education office on Riverside Parkway . 

Participating school bus drivers were asked to drive a bus through an obstacle course designed to simulate difficult driving situations that might be faced on the road. The drivers were awarded points for successfully completing each section of the course.  Drivers were also tested on loading and unloading procedures and pre-trip inspection knowledge.

Connie Beatenbough was the only driver to top the 500 plateau with a score of 523 to place first in the event. Jamie Rohler, a driver in the Pepperell area, placed second with 495 and Pam Chastain, also a driver in the Pepperell area, finished third with 477 points. A score of 550 is the highest possible point total or a perfect score for the competition. 

Beatenbough will now represent Floyd County in the state School Bus Safety Road-e-o to be held June 4-5, 2008 in Forsyth, Georgia. Winners at the state level will be eligible to participate with the best drivers in North America in International competition to be held in July.  Connie Beatenbough, a bus driver in the Pepperell area won the state title last year and placed sixth in the 2006 International Road -e-o.    

Bus drivers from Floyd County Schools have a history of strong finishes in Bus Safety Road -e-o events. Floyd County drivers have finished first in the district, state, and international competitions.  Pepperell area drivers, Connie Beatenbough and Patti Cox have both won the Georgia title.  Cox was also crowned the International Driving Champion in 1999.  Gail Lanier, winner of the last three Floyd County competitions, was unable to compete this year due to a wrist injury.

Top Ten Drivers for 2008

1. Connie Beatenbough – 523
2. Jamie Rohler – 495
3. Pam Chastain – 477
4. Cyndy Weems – 473
5. Wanda Ely – 468
6. Cyja King – 453
7. Daniel Banks – 451
8. Tracy Swann – 446
9. Barbara Tyree – 441
10. Christina Dunagan - 426