Orono School Bus Driver Goes the Extra Mile

In 2005, after retiring and building a new home, Dave McKown found himself in an odd predicament. Sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and reading a magazine, he felt out of place. He wanted to do something that would make a difference, especially in the lives of young students and soon, a job search ensued. McKown graduated from Orono High School in 1955 and in a way, he’s never left school. After being chairman of Schumann Elementary’s PTA and the district PTA, McKown dedicated more than 24 years to the Orono School Board—11of which he served as chairman. Today, you’ll find him driving buses around southwest Maple Plain. “I just don’t sit very good,” he laughs.The kids of Route 504 remember McKown most for his birthday celebrations. At the beginning of each year, McKown takes a photo of his bus crew. And for every child’s birthday, he prints it with “Happy Birthday” borders and signs: God bless, Dave, 504.McKown is also known for being an approachable bus driver. “There’s a couple of kids who maybe don’t enjoy me, mostly when discipline comes up, but I can say I have the best route because I’ve gotten to know them and their families,” he says. “Kids have a tendency to talk—especially if you’re willing to listen.”Photographer Paul DeMarchi snapped this photo during one of McKown’s daily drives for inclusion in the Orono school calendar. In addition to being honored for his impact as a bus driver, McKown received Orono High School’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008 for his work on the school board.