after 37 years of
service with FRHSD
Director kept
buses running
to six schools
Bob Nivison retires
after 37 years of
service with FRHSD
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
Bob Nivison
The director of transportation for the Freehold Regional High School District has retired after 37 years of service.
Recently honored by more than 200 friends and colleagues at a retirement dinner held at the Greystone Manor, Freehold Township, Bob Nivison retired June 30.
"I have worked closely with Bob over the years and will miss him both as an employee and as a friend," said Superintendent of Schools James Wasser. "He is someone who always gets the job done right."
Nivison was hired on Oct. 15, 1965, to run a one-man transportation shop. At that time the FRHSD transportation program consisted of 20 district-owned buses and 10 contracted buses, which would travel to two high schools (in Freehold Borough and Howell).
During his tenure, the FRHSD grew to the size it is today — 175 district-owned buses and 90 contracted buses carrying more than 10,500 students to six high schools and 48 out-of-district schools.
When Nivison began the job, student routing was done by putting pins, representing each student, on a map.
In 1972, the FRHSD was selected to participate in a New Jersey State Department of Education pilot program to computerize routing through a new program developed by Educational Testing Services (ETS) in Princeton. The computerized routing program proved to be more efficient than the "pin" method, particularly as the district grew in size and enrollment.
As an expert and advocate of the new ETS program, Nivison was often asked to speak to other school districts in Monmouth and Middlesex counties about the program. He did such a good job that ETS offered him a job, which he declined in order to remain with the FRHSD.
"Bob has always been more than just a boss," said Jean Edler, assistant director of transportation. "He took a personal interest in each and every employee. He was a mentor and a friend to us all."
Nivison said he enjoyed working for the FRHSD.
"We have the most exceptional, caring staff and educators in the nation," he said. "From the administration down, it has been an honor to work with each of them."
He said his greatest accomplishment while at the FRHSD is the department’s safety record.
"Safety has always been our No. 1 concern," said Nivison. "The FRHSD transportation staff is second to none. Their concern and dedication to the safety of the children is outstanding. Snow, rain, early hours, long hours, they’re there. You can always count on them to go the extra step."
Nivison has been married to his wife, Helen, for 40 years and has two children, Stanley Clayton, of Marlboro, and Margaret Sajers, of Cape May.
According to Helen, her husband has never strayed far from his farming roots in Marlboro. Born on a farm not far from their current home, farming has remained a part of his life.
"He may have had another job, but he always considered himself a farmer first," Helen said. "We recently built a sunroom onto the house so he could start planting seeds right after New Year’s Day."
Confirming Nivison’s success with things that grow, Edler said, "Bob was born with a green thumb."
She described the wide variety of flowers and vegetables he would often share with staff members each summer.
Retirement will not find Nivison sitting in a rocking chair. He will continue to plant in his garden.
"Every piece of available land has something planted," said Helen Nivison, adding that her husband planted more than 75 tomato plants this spring.
Nivison is also very active with his church, the Robertsville Bible Church in Marlboro. As chairman of the building committee, he will oversee the construction of a new church structure which is due for completion by next spring.
He is a founding member of the Robertsville Fire Company, where he served as the first fire chief and later as the company’s secretary.
As a certified instructor of the National Safety Council’s defensive driving course, Nivison will continue to train FRHSD bus drivers.