10-Year Perspective on Hiring and Retention for Pupil Transportation Systems

1. 10-Year Perspective on Hiring and Retention for Pupil Transportation Systems Public Relationship Director Bus Stop Parent Responsibilities Driver Obligation School Bus Life Reliability Driver Evaluation and Qualification Maintenance Program

2. I wanted a less nerve-wracking job! Not the verbal billboard we want for pupil transportation “10-Year Perspective on Hiring and Retention for Pupil Transportation Systems” Presented by: Sam Bailey (Biloxi, Mississippi)

3. Goal: Establish a positive public “Verbal Billboard” to endorse . . . Perspective on hiring and retention • Faith and trust: Create a pupil transportation environment supported by its employees, district faculty, general community, city officials, and the news media. • Fairness: Provide equal opportunity pupil services • Rank has no place: Everyone to help enforce policies and procedures to deter preferential treatments based on income status, public positions, and titles

4. Redefine Pupil Transportation Think ahead to operate a well communicated organization • Determine your success • Define a strategy • Remove negative stigmas

5. Redefining “Pupil Transportation”

6. Pupil Transportation Organizational Behavior Style Leadership style, pay, and security influences job satisfaction and organizational commitment • Situational Leadership Model: “The Hersey-Blanchard Model” • Telling, selling, participating, and delegating • Conflict Management Style: Collaborating • Win-win style requiring both assertiveness and cooperativeness • Employee Focus: Organizational Citizenship Behavior • Going over and beyond the call of duty. More likely to help coworkers. Job satisfaction related to other important outcomes. Positive about the organization • Affective Commitment: Belief in goals and values of the organization. Willingness to put forth effort and remain.

7. Pupil transportation relies on four factors to assure your success: • Influences • Performance indicators • Information Collected • Analyze, measure, and improve!

8. Important city officials and agencies • to assist in building public trust in • pupil transportation: • Mayor • City Councilmen • Police, Fire, Public Works • News media • School Board of Trustees • Primary factors: • Influences • Performance indicators • Information Collected • Analyze, measure, and improve

9. Gauge the pupil transportation to meet expectations Translating influences to performance indicators • Laws and Policies • Core Support System • Transportation Resources • Demographic/Geographic • Schools • Additional Bus Support Performance Indicators Influences = Compliance = Public Confidence = Logistic Image and Readiness = Transportation Adaptability = Reliable Arrivals and Deliveries = School Programs & Event Assistance

10. Translating Influences to Performance Indicators PerformanceIndicators Influences • Laws and Policies • Federal laws • State laws • Dept. of Education • School district policies and procedures • Compliance • Operating within Fair Labor Standards, EEO, Occupational Safety, required certifications (CDL, 1st Aid/CPR, etc.), and Department of Education obligations • Public Confidence • Transparency in all services provided • Support policies, procedures, protocols • Encourage parents to trust bus drivers • Commitment of friendly, courteous service • Core Support System • Community and media involvement • Administration team • School principal and teachers • Transportation employee loyalty • Transportation Resources • Staff, facility, and equipment • Budget (to cover all operations costs) • Number of buses • Available CDL holders and sub-drivers • Qualification of service technicians • Logistic Image and Readiness • Professionalism, curb appeal, capabilities • Competitive salaries, sufficient funding • Sufficiently cover routes and activity trips • Contingency plan for employee absences • Limiting costly outsource of services • Demographic and Geographic • Registered, eligible for transportation • Rotation influences (moving, military, Gov.) • Safe bus stop locations and routes to school • Transportation Adaptability • Attendance increase / absence minimized • Stabilized passenger ridership • Dependable, accountability, protection • Schools • Locations in relative to each other • Start and end Times • Reliable Arrivals and Deliveries • Route efficiency, utilization of tier routing, and cost reduction in resources • School Programs & Event Assistance • Student grade improvement opportunity • Education enrichment, morale • Catastrophic / Natural disaster help • Additional Bus Support • After school tutoring • School related activity trips • Emergency public evacuation

11. Driver hire is dependent on certain information collected to analyze, measure, and improve retention • Number of Applicants • In-Service Bus Status • Employee Absences • Number of Passengers • Number of Bus Referrals • Complaints • Arrests and Citations • Feedbacks Received Collect Information Analyze, measure, and improve • Respondents and recruits • Technicians, repairs, coverage • AM/PM, day of week, leave abuses • Arrival times, routes and protocols • Action consistency & driver training • Fair service, policy& protocols • Compliance: law, safety, to protect • Orderly structure & equitable service

12. Reducing the common “Nerve Wracking” contributors Collect Information Analyze, measure, and improve • Number of Applicants • Qualified • Training requirements • Non Qualified • Applicants • Total number of respondents • Recruits obtaining a CDL learners permit • Desirable places to post employment flyer • Bus Fleet Status • Technician competency level • Warranty, pattern services, training focus • Adequate route and activity coverage • In-Service Bus Status • In-Service • Out of Service • Spares • Employee absences • Sick, Personal, Other • Absence Patterns • Average absence for day of week, month, typical time of day, leave abuse • Number of Passengers • Eligible assigned • Daily riders • Occasional, part time riders • Passenger Accountability • Planning routes • No bus passes. Rather, assistance protocol • Staying out of parental legal battles • Number of Bus Referrals • Processed • Completed • Student Referrals • Track corrective action consistency • Driver training focus areas • Complaints • Route related • Employee performance • Resolving Complaints • Safe, fair, and equitable service • Policies, protocols, training focus • Arrests and Citations • Disorderly / interfering with a school bus • Parking violations • Fighting on the bus • Alliance with police and judicial system • Deterrence to driver & student intimidation • Traffic safety for pedestrians and buses • Protect safety rights of other passengers Feedbacks Received • Assure orderly structure, equitable service

13. Develop a Transportation Model to outline accountabilities and responsibilities Public Relations (Develop trust and faith in pupil transportation) Transportation Director (Equality services) Plan to Address Parent Concerns and Responsibility (Roles) Schools Bus Maintenance Program (Certifications and services) School Bus Reliability (Considerations, warranty, life expectancy) Driver Evaluation / Qualifications (Laws to incorporate) Driver Obligations (Duties to include) Bus Stop Standards and Entitlement (Efficiency of routes)

15. 1. Public Relations School Buses Safest Form of Transportation • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides statistics and other data regarding school bus accidents. • School buses keep an annual estimated 17.3 million cars off roads. It’s a national 2.3-billion gallon fuel reduction saving families a combined $6-billion dollars. • Student travel fatality: 58% by Teen Driver, 23% by Adult Driver, 1% School Bus • NHTSA states school buses are one of the safest forms of transportation in the United States. Performing crash studies, they decided the best way to protect school bus passengers is through a concept called “compartmentalization.” For more information visit: www.nhtsa.gov/School-Buses

16. 2. Transportation Director • Responsibilities • Driver, Parent/Guardian, Student • Employee/Staff Selection • Equipment Maintenance • Homeless Assistance Act • Route & Scheduling, and Training • Operations • School Travel Choices • School Bus Use • State and Local Administration • Transporting Students with Disabilities • Guidelines, Confidentiality, and IEP’s • Transporting Infants / Preschool • Guidelines for Infant, Toddler, and Pre-School Children • School Bus Security • Emergency Preparedness & Evacuations • Specially Equipped Buses • Passenger Seat Capacity Rating • Power Lifts, Restraint Systems, Support Accessories • Bus Inspections • Inspection Program & Procedures • Bus Types, Body, and Chassis Specifications • Manufacture design from bumper to bumper http://www.ucmo.edu/safetycenter/ncstonline/Documents/NST2010Pubwithlinks_000.pdf

17. 3. Plan to Address Parent Concerns and Responsibility Parents/Guardians should help children with following: • The importance of a properly sized book-bag (refrain from bringing roll-on’s) • Using a buddy system of friends, family, or a neighbor • Dress for the weather • No pets at the bus stop • Avoid talking to strangers • Proper bus stop behaviors (no playing or pushing!) • Standing safely away from the street • Knowing the school bus danger zone • Being on time, orderly loading, and no bus chasing • Staying seated, using in-door voice, no eating or drinking • Keeping the isle clear and follow the driver’s instructions • Wait for the drivers permission to cross in front of the bus Districts can help parents/guardians support and appreciate the school bus transportation: • Provide frequently asked questions with answers • Cover the District level expectations and limitations • Inform the parents/guardians of national level research sites relative to preserving school bus safety

18. 4. School Bus Maintenance Program • A good maintenance program has a positive affect on reducing workers comp claims • Incomplete required inspections will lead to frequent break downs and towing expenses • Will also cause an increase in student management problems and adversely affect the driver retention efforts • Certified, well trained technicians saves the District money (they use more defined troubleshooting and repair methods) • Quality materials and parts cost a little more, but they require less out of service down time for repairs and replacements • Purchasing local has advantage over shipping costs • Out sourcing tire replacement, transmission and motor rebuild saves time and money • Proper in-house diagnostic equipment saves labor time to transport the vehicle for costly troubleshooting Inspection list Out-sourcing Shipping costs Industry advisors and quality parts

19. 5. School Bus Reliability School Bus Purchase / Quality of its Product Life • Common school bus failures:Electronic park brakes, electronic doors, anti-lock brakes, engine emission control units, and air-condition systems • Most high maintenance components to budget: Air condition units • School buses have a life expectancy: • National standard between 10 -12 years old. www.schoolbusfleet.com and http://www.ncsbs.org/news-2007/pennsylvania-school-buses.htm • Distance to the nearest warranty facility should be considered to avert valuable labor hours wasted on common brand failures • http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/OS.Buses.pdf Published: August 2006 • 20 fires at high school, junior high or middle school • 10 fires at elementary schools

20. 6. Driver Evaluation / Qualifications • The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 was signed into law on October 27, 1986. • The goal of the Act is to improve highway safety by ensuring that drivers of large trucks and buses are qualified to operate those vehicles and to remove unsafe and unqualified drivers from the highways. • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: 49 CFR 391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers. A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if that person— • Ability to pass a State or D.O.T medical examination • Ability to pass a federally mandated drug / alcohol screen • Retain a high school diploma or equivalent • Completes the Department of Education School Bus Driver Training Course • Meets the District set policies and other requirements • Maintains an excellent driving record • Employable, Category I : Less than four (4) accumulated points in a three (3) year period • Non-employable, Category II: Considered serious traffic violations and are assigned five (5) points each (e.g., DUI, reckless driving, assault, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under a suspended or revocation of driver’s license, excess of speed (20-MPH over posted speed limit)

21. 7. Driver Obligations • Pre / Post Inspection are performed daily and turned in monthly with daily ridership counts (one sheet of paper front and back) • Recording times and student counts will establish dependability in arrivals, and preserve stability to prevent overcrowding • Student management consist of District support, separating boys and girls, and consistency to reporting referrals in a timely manner Following the rules will help us keep you safe!

22. 8. Bus Stop “There is no perfect school bus stop, because it is impossible to eliminate all potential hazards, but guidelines and training are still necessary to ensure that responsible parties are making the safest, most informed decision when placing stops.” State Director of Pupil Transportation—(unknown source) http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/buses/pdf/SelectingSchoolBusStopLocations.pdf

23. CREATE A TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST Operate within the laws, policies, and guidelines: NHTSA, CDL requirements, Fair Labor Standards, OSHA, EPA, State, Department of Education, School District

24. Suggested Checklist Areas 3. Parent/Community Involvement: • Recognized roles • Student handbook rules and appeal process 4. Vehicle Maintenance: • Records and Inspections, accountability • Quality of materials • Service equipment (diagnostic, etc.) • Outsources • Training/Certifications 1. Public Relations: • Transportation methodology • Proactive news media • Participation in Community forums • Public announcements 2. Department of Education compliance, and security: • Route Plans • Required data collections • Accident reports • Emergency evacuations • Facility and work conditions • Environmental compliances

25. Suggested Checklist Area, continued… 5. School Bus • Purchase considerations • Student transport vehicles, federal standards • Nonconforming school transportation vehicle • Specialized equipment (lift system, belts, etc.) 6. Driver Evaluation / Qualifications • Federal and State laws • State and District policies • Required certifications (school bus, 1st Aid/CPR, etc.) • DOT Medical Physical Examination standards 7. Driver Obligations • Pre/Post inspections • Student management • Record keeping • Labor hours • Safety and Health compliance • Environmental awareness 8. Bus Stop Standard • Entitlement • Efficiency and stop locations • Special Needs • Bus loading zone driveway at schools • Archive of routes

28. Primary goal:Hire to Retain! • Consider omitting words like: • Need Drivers! • Now Hiring! • Driver position open! • Entice positive interest: • Informative • Benefits to them • Convenient training • Start town talk • Choose high traffic places to post: • School front desk clerk • Grocery store public bulletin • Post Office • Dry cleaners • Laundromats • Banks

29. Primary goal:Hire to Retain! District • Omit words like: • Need Drivers! • Now Hiring! • Driver position open! • Entice positive interest: • Informative • Benefits to them • Convenient training • Start town talk District • Choose high traffic places to post: • School front desk clerk • Grocery store public bulletin • Post Office • Dry cleaners • Laundromats • Banks 555-555-5555

30. QUESTIONS?

31. Recommended Sources • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) • www.nhtsa.gov/School-Buses • Child restraints, answers for seatbelts on school buses, school transportation related crashes, bus stop locations, non-conforming vehicles • United States Department of Labor, School Bus Drivers • http://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=WHD&query=school+bus+drivers • Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) • Reaching out to school bus industry • http://www.petition2congress.com/2204/request-congress-to-extend-osha-protections-to-school-bus-operati/ • http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/Channel/Regulations/News/2011/09/08/School-Bus-Safety-Company-annouces-OSHA-compliance-toolkit.aspx • National School Transportation Specification and Procedures • http://www.ucmo.edu/safetycenter/ncstonline/Documents/NST2010Pubwithlinks_000.pdf

32. Knowledge Toolbox of References • “The One Minute Manager”, pub: 2003, • by: Kenneth Blanchard PH.D. and Spencer Johnson, M.D • “The One-Minute Manager Meets the Monkey”, pub: 1991 • By: Kenneth Blanchard, William Oncken Jr., Hal Burrows • “Develop the Leader within You”, and “Developing the Leaders Around You”, both pub: 2005 • By: John C. Maxwell • “Organizational Behavior: Concepts, Skills, and Best Practices”, pub: 2011 • By: Angelo Kinicki and Mel Fugate • “Strategic Planning for Non-Profit Organizations: A Practice Guide and Workbook, Second Edition”, pub: 2005 • By: Michael Allison and Jude Kaye • “Quality Control for Dummies”, pub 2007 • By: Larry Webber and Michael Wallace • “Driving Excellence: Transform Your Organization’s Culture and Achieve Revolutionary Results”, pub 2011, by Mark Aesch