ABOUT
Hi, I’m Jarrett—a dedicated expert in pupil transportation operations with a passion for ensuring student safety and maximizing efficiency. With years of hands-on experience in the transportation industry, I specialize in helping school districts and transportation providers overcome unique challenges with customized, practical solutions.
As a State-Certified School Bus Instructor, I’m certified to provide Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) for Commercial Class B licenses and School Bus and Passenger Endorsements. My qualifications also include a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (California State University Monterey Bay), a Master’s in Public Administration (San Jose State University), and a Ph.D. in Education Law (Liberty University).
From route optimization and fleet management to safety audits and technology implementation, I pride myself on delivering innovative strategies that enhance safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Whether you’re a small school district or a large transportation provider, I’m here to help you streamline operations and achieve your goals.
Let’s work together to create safer, smarter, and more effective pupil transportation systems!
Dr. JARRETT GARIFE
Owner and Instructor
Published Research
Pupil Transportation Alternatives: an Analysis of Alternative Pupil Transportation Models
The purpose of this study was to examine whether alternative pupil-transportation models are more cost efficient and safer for students than traditional school bus transportation in California. The study also focused on the fiscal and safety challenges that school districts face when transporting students. For the purpose of this analysis, “safer” will be defined in relation to the estimated injury or fatality costs resulting from a vehicle/school bus accident during pupil transportation.
The study analyzed the transportation departments of five California school districts (San Francisco Unified School District, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, Salinas City Elementary School District, Chualar Union School District, and Monterey County Office of Education) to study the effects of using alternate types of transportation on various types of school districts (e.g., number of students transported, district size, and service area).
To read this study click here
California's Home-to-School Transportation Program Funding and Rising Transportation Costs Impact on K-12 Public Education Pupil Transportation: A Multiple Case Study of California K-12 Public Education Chief Business Officials
The purpose of this multiple case study was to understand the perceived impact of California’s Local Control Funding Formula’s (LCFF) home-to-school transportation (HTST) program funding and rising pupil transportation operational costs on California’s K-12 public school districts and county offices of education (COE). Pfeffer and Salancik’s resource dependency theory was the theoretical framework for this study. California K-12 public school districts and COEs were the sites used for this multiple-case study. Ten Chief Business Officials (CBO) made up the sample. The central research question that guided my study asked, what are the impacts of state home-to-school program funding remaining at 2012-2013 contributions and rising school bus transportation costs on California K-12 public education CBOs’ district’s pupil transportation operation budget? The study used three data sources in this order: journal prompts, individual interviews, and focus groups. When conducting a multiple-case study, it is appropriate to use cross-case synthesis to analyze the data collected. I identified common themes between multiple cases (i.e., K-12 public school districts and COEs). Two themes emerged from the data which were “decision-making” and “challenges.” The CBOs have stated that the funding for California’s HTST program is insufficient. Due to increasing operational costs, they are forced to use general fund dollars to bridge the funding gap caused by rising costs and inadequate state funding. It is hoped that this research will add to the limited body of research on pupil transportation and California’s HTST program funding.
To read this study click here