Staff

    Gail Hastain began her career in School Transportation over 30 years ago with The Los Angles Unified School District (LAUSD). Gail moved up quickly through the ranks and became an Area Bus Supervisor, a high level supervisory position. During her tenure with LAUSD Gail was actively involved with forced integration issues, becoming keenly aware of of high pressure community concerns while gaining valuable student transportation experience.

    Mrs. Hastain moved on to Santa Barbara Transportation where she operated as Director of Transportation and Vice President of Operations overseeing the Inland Empire operations. Mrs. Hastain moved to Big Bear in 1994 and soon became the Transportation Supervisor for Bear Valley Unified School District . The safety of the students is always her first concern in whatever decision she makes.

Gail Hastain - Transportation Supervisor

    I began working for BVUSD in December 2000, as the District Office Receptionist. In July of 2002, I moved to the Transportation Department as an Account Clerk/Dispatcher. I am responsible for scheduling all school bus and Suburban field trips, the contact person for parents, teachers, school secretaries and others who call with questions or comments and as the dispatcher, I am in constant communication with all of the bus drivers while they are on the road. If there is anything I can do to help your students bus ride be a pleasant experience, please call me. 

Karen Suhay - Dispatcher

    Debbie Hallinan began her driving career with Bear Valley Unified School District in 1998. The transportation department’s school bus roadeo team soon caught her attention and she began competing with the team. Over the next five years, she would compete in countless roadeos, including five trips to the State Championships where she placed fourth in the state in 2001.

    In 2000 Mrs. Hallinan became a delegated behind the wheel trainer, and in 2001, she attended the California Department of Education, Office of School Transportation’s Academy in Sacramento, earning her State Instructors Certificate. She eventually returned to the academy to attend a course specifically designated for transporting students with Special Needs.  

    Mrs. Hallinan’s duties include original classes of new drivers, including classroom and behind the wheel and maintaining training hours of currently licensed drivers. She also is required to stay current on laws and drivers records as required by the California Department of Education, California Highway Patrol and California Department of Motor Vehicles. 

Debbie Hallinan - Lead Driver / Trainer

    Mr. Harlow has been working in the school bus industry for 11 years with a total of 16 years of diesel experience. He came to the district with an Associates Degree in both Automotive and Diesel Technology from the Universal Technical Institute. He has extensive experience with compressed natural gas engines. He has his ASE certification for School Bus Diesel Engines and is currently pursuing his ASE Master Tech Certification. His number one priority is to provide safe transportation for the students of Bear Valley USD.

Jason Harlow - Lead Mechanic