ELLENBURG CORNERS -- A substitute sits behind the wheel of Northern Adirondack Central School bus 44 as employees and students alike mourn driver Darcy Manor.

"Everybody's in shock here," said Transportation Supervisor Wayne Magoon.

The news of Manor's murder reached him soon after a search party found the bus driver's body early Friday at a camp on Drown Road in Mooers.

"The family called me at 1 o'clock in the morning at home," Magoon said.

Not only was he Manor's boss, he grew up with the man's father and uncles in this close-knit community, where just about everyone is connected one way or another.

"That's one thing about Ellenburg," he said. "We're a big family up here."

Friday morning, as State Police looked for the murdered man's missing pickup truck and bus 44 sat parked along the side of Manor's auto-repair facility, DJ Repair Shop, on Plank Road, another bus and driver were called into service to collect the 50 or so students on his route.

Three school counselors met the bus, making themselves available should a child need assistance.

"The biggest thing is they feel sad for the family, and they're missing their bus driver," said counselor Christine Brudvig.

"He was a nice man. He dealt with the kids in a very kind manner."

Brudvig and the other counselors are prepared to respond to any children who might express fear because the murderer remains at large, to tell them that law enforcement is making a special effort to protect the community.

But, she said, "I think the parents have done a very good job reassuring their children, providing a strong support system."

The counselors have been available to employees, as well, particularly the other bus drivers.

It might be down the road that their services will be needed, Brudvig said, after the immediacy of the situation begins to fade.

"Sometimes, when things like this happen, people are in the crisis mode. You have to move ahead and do what you need to do."