He was more than 20 years into his career with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) when the then Caroline County Superintendent Stanley Jones approached him about a supervisory position with the school division’s pupil transportation department. With no pupil transportation experience, JD Satterwhite was hesitant to accept. “[Mr. Jones] explained to me I had lived in Caroline County all my life, knew all the roads due to my working for VDOT for 23 years, and knew a lot of people in the county,” said JD Satterwhite. With that, JD accepted the position of Transportation Director of Caroline County Public Schools (CCPS) in May 2004.
“I remember telling Mr. Jones, ‘I feel like I just adopted 4,000 kids,’” said Satterwhite, Transportation Director of CCPS. With an approximately 100 bus fleet, Satterwhite has safely and efficiently transported Caroline County’s more than 4,400 students for the last 16 years. During that time, Satterwhite has grown and improved the department, implementing electronic routing, improving driver morale, and advocating for increased benefits and pay for drivers. Now after 16 years, JD will retire at the end of February.
When asked what he’s most looking forward to in retirement, JD says, “Spending time with my family and friends.” JD’s two daughters and their families live locally and his son and his family live in Texas. With three children and six grandchildren, JD and his wife have a beautiful family to enjoy in retirement.
While he’s excited to start a new chapter, JD’s team at CCPS will certainly miss him. The feeling is mutual. “I will miss my drivers and office staff in transportation and also the senior staff at CCPS. I will also miss the students, and the many friends I have made over the years. Pupil Transportation to me is the best group of people a person could ask for.”
“When I took the job, I saw it as a way to give back to the Caroline County schools that my three kids graduated from with a great education.” From your friends at Sonny Merryman, your service to not only Caroline County Public School’s but also Virginia’s Pupil Transportation Community is greatly appreciated. We will miss you but wish you the very best in retirement!