McKay (center), pictured with Fridley Director of Buildings and Grounds Dennis Craft (left) and MAPT President Derrick Agate (right).

The Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT) named Cindy McKay the Transportation Administrator of the Year for 2016. McKay, who has been with the district for four years, works with each building to ensure students and buses are on time and families served in the best way possible.

“I’ve had the honor of working with Cindy for fourteen years now. Three years ago, we decided to take another leap with our poster contest and take the winners to a Twins game,” Derrick Agate, president of MAPT, said. “I can’t tell you the enormity of kids and parents who have benefited from it. Just to get recognized by the Twins organization itself; their posters get put up on the Jumbotron.”

In his nomination letter to MAPT, Dennis Craft, Director of Buildings, Grounds and Transportation for the district said of McKay, “Safety is always Cindy’s priority. She went from bus safety to making certain that our student walkers were getting to school safely under the guidance of trained crossing guards.”

Agate made the formal presentation of the award at the July 19, 2016 school board meeting.

“It’s a huge honor for me,” McKay said at the podium. “My kids tell me if I bleed, I bleed bus. I am so fortunate and blessed to work with Fridley Public Schools and carry my passion on.”