Greenville County Schools transportation leader driving improvements for students — and now earning statewide recognition.
Transportation Director for Greenville County Schools, Adam James, has been named the 2025-26 Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Association for Pupil Transportation. The award recognizes transportation leaders who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and a strong commitment to keeping students safe while improving the efficiency of school transportation.
Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster says James is "an integral member of our District Leadership Team."
James was one of nine nominees from across South Carolina. During his leadership, Greenville County Schools has improved on-time bus performance and increased pay for transportation employees.
Press release by GCS Director of Media Relations, Tim Waller, below:
Greenville County Schools Transportation Director Adam James has been named the 2025-26 Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Association for Pupil Transportation (SCAPT). James received the honor during the organization's annual conference this week.
The award recognizes a transportation administrator who consistently demonstrates excellence in leadership, innovation, and a commitment to student transportation safety and efficiency.
According to SCAPT President Theresa Taylor, James was one of nine nominees from across South Carolina. He was selected for his passion for student transportation and for the outstanding work of Greenville County Schools' Transportation and Fleet Services team. James is pictured with Taylor and GCS Transportation Coordinator of Special Needs Teena Mitchell.
"Adam is well deserving of this recognition from his fellow transportation professionals," said Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster. "He provides the highest level of service to our students, families, and schools in a challenging and dynamic environment. He consistently seeks ways to make Transportation and Fleet Services more efficient and effective. He is an integral member of our District Leadership Team, and his contributions positively impact decisions well beyond his department. He is held in high regard by all of us who work with him every day."
During James' leadership, the district has significantly improved on-time performance, strengthened efforts to recruit and retain bus drivers and bus aides, streamlined the hiring process, increased pay for transportation employees, and enhanced customer service for families and schools, as reflected in higher satisfaction survey results. Throughout these improvements, student and driver safety has remained the department's top priority.
