GRAND MARSHAL

Barb Harter became a Royal Valley staff member during the 1976-1977 school year and has been employed by them for the past 44 years. Over the years, she has served the district in many different capacities: as bus route driver, activity bus driver, Washburn Tech shuttle driver, hospitality coordinator, and (the very professional title) errand-runner.

She drove a bus route east of Hoyt for 25 years until she began transporting students to and from Washburn Tech each morning for the past 19 years. Jeff Gustin, former transportation coordinator, said that she was a huge asset in creating the routes each year. He said, “By a phone call she can tell you the driveways to turn around in and what that road was like.”

She drove to and from activities, too. While she drove many different clubs and student groups, she primarily drove the football team and FFA students. Gustin said that Harter always treated the students she drove like they were her very own and was always prepared to help the athletes by carrying with her scissors, nail clippers, and even the coach’s favorite drink. He said, “She even sews and mends the uniforms. She flat takes care of them.”

When the track was built in 1986 she accepted the position of Hospitality Coordinator with the condition that bus drivers from the other schools were not only included, but encouraged to enjoy the hospitality. Royal Valley secretary, Penny Carey said, “Barb makes it her personal responsibility to represent Royal Valley in the best light. She cares deeply for the school, the students, and the employees. There is not a single person who hasn't been touched by her acts of kindness.”

Harter loves Royal Valley. Her earliest memory is more of a feeling than an experience: “I remember that I felt really respected and valued. Classified employees are treated the same as certified.” She remembers always being welcomed and included by the coaches and sponsors and treated as a part of every group she drove. “Royal Valley’s a wonderful place to work. It is a family here.” She said that the students have changed a lot, but that she can always recognize Royal Valley students in a crowd based on their actions during whatever event she’s watching.

Harter retired after 35 years, but soon found that she didn’t like it. The generosity of the Royal Valley district to hire her back in the same capacity not only allowed her to continue to do what she loved, but provided her the means to offer financial support to her grandchildren. Recently, she had to take time off for health issues and she realized how much she missed having Royal Valley in her daily life. After bonding with 11 different busses over 44 years, she said, “Life without having a yellow bus in the drive is going to be really weird. But there will come a time.”