Darren Dunn has been the man behind the wheel and under the hood, keeping Carroll County Schools’ buses running smoothly. But today, the longtime driver and lead mechanic is putting away his mechanic’s tools.
Dunn, known for his hard work, has worn many hats over the years, but his favorite role has been as the district’s lead mechanic. He’s a one-man team responsible for maintaining every vehicle owned by the district.
Every month, all school buses must be inspected, and Dunn is the only certified inspector on staff. Even on his last day, he’s working tirelessly to make sure everything is in order for the co-workers he considers family.
“It’s always chaotic around here,” Dunn said in reflecting on his 23 years with the transportation department. “I’m trying to get all of this stuff done before I leave so they can have all their buses.”
Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes said, “We certainly appreciate Darren and all of the time and effort he has placed into our system over the years His efforts have kept thousands of students safe and kept a well maintained fleet of vehicles.”
Though he’s ready for the next chapter, Dunn admits he’ll miss the friendships he’s built over the years.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot of friends here,” he said with a smile. “I’ll stop in here to see them all the time.”
Retirement, however, doesn’t mean slowing down. Dunn’s next adventure will have him hauling materials to NUCOR Steel, meaning he’ll be driving past the bus garage nearly every day.
“When I first started, I could tell you what I did on every bus,” he said with a chuckle. “But after a while, they’re all just yellow. I can’t tell you what I did from one bus to the next anymore.”
His dedication and years of service didn’t go unnoticed. Today, his co-workers surprised him with a retirement luncheon as one last show of appreciation for the man who’s kept their wheels turning.