10-Year Perspective on Hiring

and Retention for Pupil

Transportation Systems

School Bus Life Reliability

Director

Driver Evaluation and Qualification

Bus Stop Public Relationship

Parent Responsibilities

Maintenance Program

Driver Obligation

I wanted a less nerve-wracking job!

Not the verbal billboard we want for pupil transportation

Presented by: Sam Bailey (Biloxi, Mississippi)

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

Goal: Establish a positive public

“Verbal Billboard” to endorse . . .• 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

Perspective on hiring and retention

Redefine Pupil Transportation

• Determine your success

• Define a strategy

• Remove negative stigmas

Think ahead to operate a well communicated organization

Redefining “Pupil Transportation”

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.

Pupil transportation relies on four factors to assure your success:

• Influences

• Performance indicators

• Information Collected

• Analyze, measure, and improve!

Primary factors:•Influences•Performance indicators•Information Collected•Analyze, measure, and improve

Important city officials and agenciesto assist in building public trust inpupil transportation:•Mayor •City Councilmen•Police, Fire, Public Works•News media•School Board of Trustees

• Laws and Policies

• Core Support System • Transportation Resources • Demographic/Geographic• Schools• Additional Bus Support

Influences

Performance Indicators

Translating influences to performance indicators

= Compliance

= Public Confidence

= Logistic Image and Readiness

= Transportation Adaptability

= Reliable Arrivals and Deliveries

= School Programs & Event Assistance

Gauge the pupil transportation to meet expectations

Laws and Policies•Federal laws•State laws•Dept. of Education•School district policies and procedures

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

Schools•Locations in relative to each other•Start and end Times

Demographic and Geographic•Registered, eligible for transportation•Rotation influences (moving, military, Gov.)•Safe bus stop locations and routes to school

Additional Bus Support•After school tutoring•School related activity trips •Emergency public evacuation

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

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

Transportation Adaptability• Attendance increase / absence minimized• Stabilized passenger ridership• Dependable, accountability, protection

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

Influences Performance Indicators

Translating Influences to Performance Indicators

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

Number of Applicants•Qualified•Training requirements•Non Qualified

Employee absences•Sick, Personal, Other

Number of Passengers•Eligible assigned•Daily riders•Occasional, part time riders

Complaints•Route related•Employee performance

Number of Bus Referrals•Processed•Completed

In-Service Bus Status•In-Service•Out of Service•Spares

Arrests and Citations•Disorderly / interfering with a school bus•Parking violations•Fighting on the bus

Feedbacks Received

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

Absence Patterns•Average absence for day of week, month, typical time of day, leave abuse

Passenger Accountability•Planning routes•No bus passes. Rather, assistance protocol•Staying out of parental legal battles

Student Referrals•Track corrective action consistency•Driver training focus areas

Resolving Complaints•Safe, fair, and equitable service •Policies, protocols, training focus

Alliance with police and judicial system•Deterrence to driver & student intimidation•Traffic safety for pedestrians and buses•Protect safety rights of other passengers

• Assure orderly structure, equitable service

Collect Information Analyze, measure, and improve

Reducing the common “Nerve Wracking” contributors

Develop a Transportation Modelto outline accountabilities and responsibilities

1. Public Relations (Develop trust and faith in pupil transportation)

2. Transportation Director (Equality services)

3. Plan to Address Parent Concerns and Responsibility (Roles)

4. Schools Bus Maintenance Program (Certifications and services)

5. School Bus Reliability (Considerations, warranty, life expectancy)

6. Driver Evaluation / Qualifications (Laws to incorporate)

7. Driver Obligations (Duties to include)

8. Bus Stop Standards and Entitlement (Efficiency of routes)

1. Public RelationsSchool 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

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

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

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

5. School Bus ReliabilitySchool 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

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)

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!

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

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

Suggested Checklist Areas

1. Public Relations:

a) Transportation methodology

b) Proactive news media

c) Participation in Community forums

d) Public announcements

2. Department of Education compliance, and security:

a) Route Plans

b) Required data collections

c) Accident reports

d) Emergency evacuations

e) Facility and work conditions

f) Environmental compliances

3. Parent/Community Involvement:

a) Recognized roles

b) Student handbook rules and appeal process

4. Vehicle Maintenance:

a) Records and Inspections, accountability

b) Quality of materials

c) Service equipment (diagnostic, etc.)

d) Outsources

e) Training/Certifications

Suggested Checklist Area, continued…

5. School Bus

a) Purchase considerations

b) Student transport vehicles, federal standards

c) Nonconforming school transportation vehicle

d) Specialized equipment (lift system, belts, etc.)

6. Driver Evaluation / Qualifications

a) Federal and State laws

b) State and District policies

c) Required certifications (school bus, 1st Aid/CPR, etc.)

d) DOT Medical Physical Examination standards

7. Driver Obligations

a) Pre/Post inspections

b) Student management

c) Record keeping

d) Labor hours

e) Safety and Health compliance

f) Environmental awareness

8. Bus Stop Standard

a) Entitlement

b) Efficiency and stop locations

c) Special Needs

d) Bus loading zone driveway at schools

e) Archive of routes

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

Omit 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

District

District

555-555-5555

Primary goal:

Hire to Retain!

QUESTIONS?

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

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