Craven County Schools Transportation Services

1. Craven County SchoolsTransportation Services

2. Bus Driver eStaff Development Training for 2012-13 • Welcome • Last Updated on July 2, 2012 • Training topics to be covered in a electronic power point presentation

3. Why eStaff Development Training • Cost – efficient use of school financial resources helps maintain public support • Employee cost – drivers do not have to travel to bus garage for meeting • Employee time – drivers and school supervisor can coordinate bus driver training with other school activities

4. Transportation Services Web Homepage • From CCS homepage go to Departments then select Transportation • Study Guides for renewal, railroad crossing procedures, etc… • CCS handbooks – READ • B.O.Y. presentations & memos • Links for school bus transportation info

5. CCS iWeb Forms website • Registered User Password protected • All Transportation forms are on this site • TD 101 – Student Transportation Form • TD 25 – Accident Report • TD 148 – Acknowledgement of Participation • Do NOT share any CCS forms with non-CCS employees without permission

6. Session Law 2010-20 & James City RR crossing • Law excludes only the James City RR “exempt” crossing from state law that requires school and activity buses to stop at “exempt” crossings in NC • DO NOT STOP • DO NOT USE FLASHERS • PROCEED WITH CAUTION

7. Video/Audio Surveillanceof Drivers & Passengers • School system methods of monitoring • Bus camera systems on all school buses • GPS tracking will be continued • School and Garage staff observations • Bus vehicle data (mileage, stops & etc.) • Bus driver reports (start/stop times, speed) • Unofficial methods of monitoring • All activity is subject to monitoring !!!

8. In the Public’s Eye • We are constantly in the “public’s eye.” • Cell phones and cameras make it possible for the public to record our actions. • Think BEFORE you speak or act !!!! • There are no “off the record” actions. • No “Expectation of Privacy” while on bus performing bus driver duties.

9. Monitoring of Student/Driver Behaviors & Efficiency • Discuss impact for bus drivers • Monitoring of driver actions/behaviors • Monitoring of student conduct/actions • Discuss bus camera/gps use • Following bus route directions (stops) • Verify actual working time (timesheet) • Confirm preformed duties (pre – post trip)

10. School System Cell Phones • A phone must be available for use by driver in case of emergency situation. • State Law - Do NOT use any style electronic devise while operating a school or activity bus!!!!!! • This includes hands-free models - DO NOT WEAR HANDS-FREE on the bus. • Bus camera will monitor driver actions • Includes on & off driver related duties

11. School System Cell Phones • Driver must request system provided cellular phone, if needed. • TD138 Cellular Phone Driver Agreement • Cellular phone usage is tracked. • Cost of use based on all minutes used. • NOT a share plan for minutes used. • Non school use will be billed to driver.

12. Passenger Safety Instructions • State law requires bus passenger safety instructions within first five days at start and once during second semester. • Coordinate with bus supervisor. • Explain “evacuation procedures” • Required before each field trip (school or activity bus or charter bus).

13. Passenger Safety Instructions • Document in writing Bus Passenger Safety Instructions • Use “School Bus Passenger’s Safety Guidelines” brochure on CCS iWeb • “School Bus Safety Minute Presentation” • Also use “School Bus Evacuation” brochure on CCS iWeb

14. School Bus Transportationin North Carolina • School bus transportation is a form of “public” transportation. • School bus transportation is the safest form of student transportation. • In Craven County approx. one-half of our students ride the bus AM or PM • Educate general public just how safe children are when on school bus.

15. School Bus Transportation Services • Quality of professional bus driver • Required training by federal & state laws • Monitoring and re-certification of drivers • Quality of school bus vehicle • Compartmentalization • Construction of vehicle • 13 times more safe that average car

16. Pre trip & Post trip Inspection • Pre-trip inspection – • required by law • For driver & student protection • Report malfunctions on sign-in sheet • Post-trip inspection – • Required by Craven County Schools • Check for students or property left on bus • Check for bus malfunctions – call if needed

17. Bus Accident Procedures • Do NOT leave the scene until authorized to do so by a supervisor. • Notify authorities (911, school, garage). • Complete a seating chart ASAP. • Complete a written statement with details ASAP – for your protection. • Complete TD 25 within 2-3 days.

18. Substance Abuse Screening • Local post accident testing • Report all accidents to supervisor • Generally all accidents require local testing • DOT substance abuse screening • Pre-employment • Post-accident screening • Random screening

19. Bus Route Changes • Driver authorized for emergency route changes – weather, accidents & etc. • Press “event button” to record changes • Report route or stop change to supervisor • Driver is NOT authorized for permanent route changes or bus stop location changes – follow procedures. • Unauthorized changes create PROBLEMS.

20. Passenger Stop Changes • Must be approved PRIOR to implementation by bus driver • Alternate stops – approved by sch & gar • Out-of-district – Superintendent only • School approves first – space on bus • Garage gives final approval - • No additional expense or mileage • Consistent throughout county

21. Bus Route / Passenger Stop Changes During the Year • As new printouts are received, only approved stops will be listed on the updated bus route description printout • If a stop address is not listed, do NOT continue to stop at address • Be aware of the new TD123 (Bus route Discrepancy form)

22. DOT Projects & Warnings • DOT bridge projects often require bus route detours • Contact garage for special re-routing • Drivers are to READ & OBEY all DOT project signs, including weight limits • Call garage for bus GVWR, if needed

23. Safety and Seating Assignment • Avoid having students seated near rear of bus when other seats are available. • Students must be “completely seated on the bus seat.” • Maintain an assigned seating chart. • Do NOT exceed seating capacity of bus. • Standees are strictly prohibited.

24. NC DPI Ridership Count • This one ridership count provides the funds to operate our entire bus transportation operation. • Inform students of importance of count. • Encourage all students to ride this week. • Inform parents of importance of count. • Count students at least twice each run.

25. Consequences of Annual Ridership Count Expect changes after data reviewed • Bus routes at schools are modified. • Buses at schools are switched on routes. • Increase in buses assigned to a school. • Decrease in buses at a school. • Driver’s route time may be modified.

26. Reported Public Concerns • Reduce speed in residential areas. • Talking on cell phone - bus camera use. • Passenger stops too close together. • STAY on the ROAD and OFF the grass. • Reduce speed through intersections. • NEVER leave scene of accident until instructed by police or school official.

27. We Promote Self Monitoring • What one activity or school bus driver does affects the public’s perception of all bus drivers for CCS. • If you make a mistake – “tell your supervisor immediately.” • Communication helps prevent small problems from becoming BIG problems.

28. Bus Driver Handbook • Bus Driver Handbook has been revised for 2012-2013 school year. • The Bus Driver Handbook includes policies and regulations that directly affect bus drivers. • Drivers are responsible for reviewing the bus handbook for changes each year. Must sign TD 148 to verify.

29. Observation Reports • Bus Route/Driver Observation Reports • Route Observation Report (TD150) • Route Discrepancy Report (TD123) • Payroll Discrepancy Report (TD124) • Become part of Driver’s file • Repetitive/Multiple observations will be the basis for disciplinary action.

30. Disciplinary ActionFor Bus Drivers • CCS policy requires disciplinary action for several actions • Extended unnecessary bus idling • Moving violation while operating a bus • Failure to report a bus accident • Use of cell phone while operating a bus— • NC law makes it illegal to use any electronic device while driving a school bus.

31. DMV Bus Driver Trainer • Bunny Schramm, NC DMV DEPS • Web address contact info Dmv.trainer@craven.k12.nc.us • Mobile phone contact info 252-571-2373 • School Bus Garage – 252-514-6377 (will take a message, (if no response from email)

32. DMV Bus Driver Trainer • “Driver Education Program Specialist.” • Employee of NC DMV, not CCS. • Use CCS Groupwise email to contact. • Trainer will contact drivers to schedule renewal; email if not contacted two months prior to expiration.

33. Bus Driver Certification and NC DMV Commercial Driver’s License • Two separate issues • Certification b/w driver & BOE • BOE can issue/cancel “certification” • Proper certification allows driver to operate school system bus – sch or act • CDL licensure b/w driver & DMV • CDL license w/ P&S belongs to driver • Can not operate bus w/o “certification”

34. CDL Medical Review • DMV medical review process • Affects NC driver license eligibility • CCS medical exemption process • Determines CCS employment eligibility • CCS makes the employability decision • See Bus Driver Handbook for details

35. Bus Driver Pocket Card Requirements • School bus - white card • Activity bus – blue card • Signify eligibility for CCS • Present pocket card when requested • Return card when leave CCS

36. Activity bus driver certification upcoming DMV changes • School bus certifications cannot be converted to Activity Bus certifications. • All original bus driver certifications will be “school bus” (yellow) certified. • All “activity bus” certified drivers must become “school bus” certified by July 2015.

37. Activity Bus Procedures • Passenger stops are NOT allowed • Driver is responsible for stops & safety • Must have a current “pocket card” • Supt. approves all out of state trips • Passenger evacuation procedures • NOT used by non school groups • Only exceptions are recreation dept.

38. Nurse topics to be added • Pending

39. School Bus Garage Staff Becton Broughton, Director David Rink, Transportation Supervisor Shelley Pritchett, TIMS coordinator ______________, Payroll coordinator Ronnie Everington, Inventory coordinator Donna Dixon, BSIP coordinator

40. School Bus Garage Staff Service Areas Technicians Hav Area – Billy Moss & Dave Fink NB Area – Leslie Johnson & Jasper Flowers WC Area – Robert Lackey & Brandon Gaskins Local Vehicle/Route Coordinator – Hugh Jolly Shop Mechanic – Tim Wiscarva Fuel Truck – Henry Quinn

41. Transportation Supervisor David Rink, Transportation Supervisor • Supervises area technicians • Daily sign in sheet • Fuel for field trips • Annual DPI Inspection • Fueling schedule for school buses • etc, etc……

42. TIMS bus route Coordinator • Shelley Pritchett, TIMS coordinator • Initial bus routes • Bus route updates • Student residence data • Alternate in district stop requests • Out of district transportation requests • Attendance boundary updates

43. TIMS – computerized bus routing and other uses • TIMS bus route update guidelines • Update routes on original form • Use highlighters, do not completely mark out names • Complete promptly • Bus path is determined by right or left; not by east/west or north/south

44. Early College bus route ridership accuracy • High School Drivers • Be aware of Early College student stops are AM only • Students not to be listed for PM • Stop description will be coded with a 314.xxx or 321.xxx (# to the right)

45. Parent bus stop appeal procedures • Bus driver does not initiate • Bus supervisor coordinates • Changes must be approved • Confirmed on printed route description • Supervisor maintains record of approved alternate bus stops & out-of-district approved students

46. Financial Services Coordinator Aaron Wallace, Financial Services Coordinator • Bus route time and revisions • Driver pay agreements & revisions • Driver time sheets monitoring • School bus field trip use & payment • Driver CDL licensure & bus certification

47. Bus Route Time & Bus Driver Pay Agreements • Route time set by TIMS & driver data. • TD110 3-day average required for changes. • Verified by bus camera, GPS, staff. • Non-driving time included in route time. • Established Route time is maximum time without written explanation. • Appeal procedures available on web.

48. Bus Driver Timesheets • Only timesheets to used for payroll. • REQUIRED FOR ALL BUS DRIVERS. • Must be kept current (2-3 days). • Record bus number and route time on timesheet. • Signatures required - you & supervisor. • Timesheet will be returned for corrections.

49. School Topics • Add specific school topics

50. Feedback Request • Drivers are encouraged to provide written feedback on – • eStaff Development – did the slides and discussion provide as much information as previous group session • Additional topics – list of topics to include in next presentation • Plus/delta summary from each driver