Kendall bus driver honored as ‘employee of the year’ by RATSA

Press Release, Kendall Central School

Photo courtesy of Kendall Central School: Superintendent Nick Picardo, left, and Karen Jones, right, congratulate Cindy Tinkous on being “employee of the year” among Kendall bus drivers.

KENDALL – Cindy Tinkous, a Kendall school bus driver, received the Rochester Area Transportation Supervisors Association 2025 Professional Pupil Transportation Employee of the Year recognition.

The Rochester Area Transportation Supervisors Association (RATSA) annually awards exceptional employees from area school districts to receive the Professional Pupil Transportation Employee of the Year award.

Nominees are chosen based on merits such as having good attendance, being accident-free, having a friendly disposition, and readily accepting and exceeding responsibilities. They are also expected to relate well with fellow workers, parents and children.

Tinkous was recognized at a ceremony that took place on Thursday alongside transportation honorees from a number of area school districts.

“Cindy has been employed at Kendall for over 20 years and is an invaluable asset to the pupil transportation department as a long-time driver,” said Director of Transportation Karen Jones. “She has been a mentor to all drivers and loves all of her students on the bus. Cindy is the matriarch of the Kendall Bus Garage family and will be retiring in July. She will be greatly missed by all.”