ECBOE honors retiring bus driver Rebecca Kenney for over 40 years of service

Amanda Pevey

Elmore Autauga News

The Elmore County Board of Education held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. During the meeting, Director of Transportation Ray Mullino honored bus driver Rebecca Kenney for her outstanding service to the Elmore County Public School System.

 Kenney has served as a bus driver for more than 40 years, becoming a familiar and trusted presence for countless students along the way.

Mullino shared that several weeks ago, Kenney stopped by his office to let him know she was ready to retire after more than four decades behind the wheel of a bus.

“I came across a printout that I wanted to share tonight, because I can see her saying a lot of these statements whenever I read them,” said Mullino.

“She is not a teacher, but you can learn from her. She is not a taxi, but she will get you where you need to go. She is not a referee, but she will stop your game when you are not playing fair. She is not a counselor, but she will listen whenever you are sad. She is not your mother, but she will care for you like she is. She is not a nurse, but she will fix your boo-boos. She is not a police officer, but she will protect you just like one would. She is a bus driver.”

Mullino explained that when an employee has served more than 25 years in transportation, he creates a meaningful keepsake to honor their commitment and service.

For Kenney, Mullino presented a handcrafted shadow box featuring a yellow school bus. Inside the box was an inscription that read, “Presented to Rebecca Kenney, in recognition of 40 years of outstanding and dedicated service to the Elmore County Public School System as a bus driver. August 22, 1985, through January 6, 2026.”

Kenney offered brief remarks, thanking the board for its recognition. “Thank you, Mr. Dennis, the board members, and Mr. Mullino. I did my job.”

Superintendent Richard Dennis also spoke during the meeting, noting that being a bus driver is one of the most challenging positions within the Elmore County school system. He described the responsibility of managing multiple “classrooms” of students at once while safely navigating the roads, a task that requires constant focus and patience.

Dennis emphasized that Kenney carried out those responsibilities not for 10, 20, or even 30 years, but for four decades.

“Thank you for your service and what you have done for us,” said Dennis. “It is incredible, I know it is a tiresome job, but you have done a great job! Thank you so very much!”