FEEDBACK
Safety Sweep I enjoyed reading the First Take article (“Case in Point Regarding
Due Diligence of School Bus Safety,” page 12 of the May issue) and it is right on. Yesterday, we had our local Lower Columbia Regional SWAT Team training exercise, and each year we supply them with a school bus for the training. Last night, when I went to pick up the bus, the last thing the sheriff deputy and I did before leaving with the bus was a complete inspection of the bus both inside and out. We have learned that over the years you never know what may be left behind.
—Rick Lecker, Transportation Manager/District Safety Officer Longview (Wash.) School District #122
Addressing School Bus Driver Staffing Challenges
You noted in your June column (“Don’t be Short-Sighted About
Driver Shortage,” page 12) that nine-tenths of transportation di- rectors started as drivers. You did not mention that the educational requirements for a new driver do not include a high school diploma and no experience is necessary either. Neither condition commands much pay. A vast number of former uneducated drivers are now uneducated managers, and have no training or awareness of effective managerial techniques in an increasingly sophisticated organization. Ergo, turnover and low morale. Pay would help the driver shortages and education would help the whole department.
—Jan Darjeeling Montgomery, Texas
As a former director who is now retired, I wish I had done more
to enjoy and have fun with my incredible team. I think this sugges- tion is the most insightful one the author made. I realize now how important they were to the success of our department and how under-recognized they were by me. I wish I could have a “do over.” I hope all supervisors will really take your comments to heart and show their heart and their thanks to their staff every day.
—Louise Piper, comment taken from DISQUS Why is it so difficult to pay drivers more? Employers want to pay
drivers to do a high responsibility job at a fast-food wage. In some cases, fast-food chains are paying more! Hard to justify anymore knowing we transport children, not flip burgers!
—Jeanette Narciso, comment taken from Facebook
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12 School Transportation News • JULY 2016
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