Alabama State Department of Education Student Transportation Director Kevin Snowden announced that he is resigning Aug. 1 to assume the same position at the Florida Department of Education.
Snowden made the announcement at the Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference, saying that he had been contemplating a move for a while. While the Alabama native said he’ll miss the industry professionals he grew close to over his nearly 26-year career, Snowden is excited to help lead Florida school districts.
“I think in gardening terms sometimes, but the field is ripe to be planted and to be cultivated down there for some great legislation,” he said. “I think they are hungry for some things.”
He cited a need for illegal passing enforcement legislation in Florida that would be similar to the bill that was recently signed into law in Alabama. He also said seat belts continue to be a big issue, as some school districts have already begun to transition from lap belts to lap-shoulder belts.
Snowden transitioned to the Shelby County school district’s transportation department as a route supervisor in November 2000 after serving as the Thompson Middle School band director for more than 12 years. He continued as route supervisor for 10 years before becoming transportation coordinator in October 2010.
He joined the Alabama State Department of Education as an educator administrator for pupil transportaiton in 2014 and a year later was named the department’s program coordinator and de facto state director after predecessor Joe Lightsey retired.
Snowden also served on the Alabama School Transportation Association since 2010 and is a member of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.
