Grady Cooper has been named director of transportation for the Daviess County Public Schools district. He will assume his responsibilities on July 1, replacing Downey Ward, who is retiring after serving in that role since 2018.
Cooper currently serves as DCPS transportation area coordinator.
“I am looking forward to this opportunity to uphold the well-established reputation of the DCPS Transportation Department by leading an amazing team of dedicated transportation professionals who go the extra mile daily,” Cooper said.
Cooper’s background includes experience as a youth counselor, which has yielded valuable insight in the area of resolving student behavior issues on school buses. Following his career as a youth care specialist at Valley Institute of Psychiatry, Cooper joined the DCPS Transportation Department in 1998 as a substitute driver.
A year later, he joined DCPS full time as a bus driver for students with special needs. He served the district as a driver trainer for eight years, and was promoted to his current position of transportation area coordinator in 2011.
Cooper was named Driver Trainer of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Pupil Transportation in 2011. He has been a member of KAPT for more than 15 years.
DCPS director of student services Damon Fleming said Cooper’s experience, positive attitude and work ethic made him the ideal candidate for the position.
“Grady has served in nearly every role as a member of our transportation department, giving him valuable insight into the unique challenges involved with providing safe and efficient transportation of students,” Fleming said. “Grady not only identifies problems but also solutions. He is a ‘Kids First’ team player who seeks to serve students, families and staff in everything he does.”
