EUREKA (April 21, 2026) – The California Department of Education (CDE) announced Friday that Perrin Turney, Bus Driver for Kneeland School was selected as the California School Employee of the Year (CSEY) for Transportation Services. Turney has been employed with Kneeland School as a bus driver for five years.
In a letter accompanying her state application, Kneeland Superintendent/Principal Greta Turney School wrote:
“Perrin has always approached any district need with a positive attitude, he has become well known throughout the school community as the man who deftly wears many hats. Perrin proved his dedication to the school and to the community at a very young age which made families accept him as a 19-year-old school bus driver with no hesitation. Our small, rural school relies on funding based on [Average Daily Attendance] ADA. The district spans nearly 145 square miles in rural, isolated areas and it serves neighboring districts even further away. Without reliable transportation options, the district would lose enough students that lapsation would be a realistic potential outcome.
Perrin diligently watches road conditions and knows the bus backwards and forwards. School on a mountain presents unique transportation challenges including fallen trees, black ice, hurricane force winds, and fog so thick that visibility decreases to mere yards on a dangerously winding road. Perrin never hesitates to prioritize safety over all else when transporting our students. Perrin has driven the bus through three feet of snow during a surprise snowstorm and never let the kids or the families know he had any worries whatsoever. Perrin collaborates well with families and school administration to find convenient and safe bus stops along the route that will best accommodate families, thereby increasing their access to school.”
Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools Michael Davies-Hughes echoed those words.
“Perrin Turney represents the hard work and dedication of so many classified employees serving small, rural school districts across Humboldt County,” he said. “He wears many hats, approaches every task with care and pride, and consistently does his very best for students and families. We are proud of Perrin and grateful to see his work recognized at a statewide level.”
Humboldt County Office of Education annually selects County Classified Employees of the Year from nominations by Superintendents and Charter Directors throughout the county. The state recognizes nine categories: Clerical and Administrative Services, Custodial and Maintenance Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Health and Student Services, Paraprofessional Services, Security Services, Skilled Trades Services, Technical Services, and Transportation Services.
The Humboldt County Classified Employees of the Year are honored at a joint breakfast with the Humboldt Chapter of the Association of California School Administrators every May during Classified Employee Appreciation Week.
Humboldt County honorees become eligible for nomination in the state CSEY program. CSEY awardees are honored in May during Classified School Employee Week, and are also eligible to be nominated for the national RISE Awards organized by the US Department of Education.
For more information, please contact Superintendent/Principal, Greta Turney admin@kneelandsd.org or call 707-442-5472. For information regarding county education awards programs visit www.hcoe.orgs/awards or contact Stacy Young, Community Outreach and Engagement Director, HCOE outreach@hcoe.org or 707-445-7024