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Schools

Schools get new busing director

By SHADI RAHIMI and THOMAS C. TOBIN
Published May 23, 2006

Grasso is the third person in three years to oversee the department's $38.5-million budget and about 800 drivers and other employees.

The system has come under fire in recent years after the traffic deaths of two students, a shortage of bus drivers last winter and parent complaints about late and no-show buses.

Grasso said he will start his new position in mid June.

"I'm going in with an open mind," he said. "I'm going to hear and see exactly what goes on and then try to piece together how that works within our schools."

The assistant principal of Clearwater High, Steve Price, said he's sad to see his friend go, but hopes to see the system's shortage of bus drivers finally resolved.

"He's got quite a challenge to work through," Price said. "But if there's anybody that can do it, it's Nick."

Grasso, 46, has worked in schools for more than two decades and has been praised by school and city officials for his innovative attempt to address the achievement gap at Clearwater High by holding focus groups with black and Hispanic students.

School superintendent Clayton Wilcox said he chose Grasso because he is "a very good team builder."

Wilcox said Grasso will be expected to further the changes the former director, Tony Dzielski, put in place, and to improve teamwork between drivers and schools.

Dzielski, 49, a retired Navy captain, resigned in March after less than a year on the job. His reason for leaving remains unknown.

Wilcox chose Dzielski last summer to replace outgoing transportation director Terry Palmer as part of a major reorganization of the district's bus system. It was in disarray after the traffic deaths of two students who were dropped off in violation of a district directive that children not be assigned to stops that require them to cross major roads.

Grasso, whose experience with school buses lies mostly in interactions with bus drivers and supervisors, will be assisted by assistant transportation director Rick McBride and a staff of route specialists, Wilcox said.

The search for a new principal for Clearwater High will begin with a meeting held with Area III superintendent Mike Bessette, the high school's improvement team and its Advisory Council.

[Last modified May 23, 2006, 04:28:22]