Dear Team DPS,
It is with mixed emotions that I share with you that, after nearly 16 years of service here at DPS, Nicole Portee, Executive Director of Transportation, is leaving to take an incredible opportunity with Guilford County Schools in Greensboro, North Carolina. She will be Guilford County’s new Senior Executive Director of Operations Systems Support Services.
Nicole has been an invaluable part of our service to students and families during her long tenure in Transportation, and she’s been an invaluable leader during her nine years as the department’s Executive Director. Nicole has been a collaborative thought partner and innovate leader who always strives to find solutions to support our schools and improve service to our families.
In addition to being our unofficial meteorologist during the winter months, Nicole helped design and launch our award-winning Success Express shuttle service in Far Northeast and Near Northeast Denver, secured funding to install GPS on all school buses and implemented the +Pass system for our students. She was also instrumental in securing the funding for video cameras for our school buses, developing Bus Bulletin to better communicate with our families, and helping to ensure that the RTD Youth Pass program was available for our students. Nicole was named one of the 14 Phenomenal Women in School Transportation in 2013, Transportation Director of the Year in 2018 and Transportation Administrator of the Year in 2019.
While we work to find our next leader of Transportation Services, Nicole has committed to staying on to help us start the school year. I know that she will be exceptional in her new role, and this is a wonderful opportunity for Nicole and her family. We will miss her warmth, dedication and expertise tremendously.
I wish Nicole and the rest of her family monumental success, happiness and fulfillment as she begins her new journey.
Warm regards,
Susana
