SPECIAL REPORT
Who’s Who, And Where?
Seating charts offer practical solutions to a host of challenges on the school bus Written by Mark Rowh
A
ny list of challenges created by COVID-19 would be a long one. But some good things have grown out of the experiences gained in coping with the pandemic. For many school
districts, one of those positive developments has been a greater focus on the routine use of bus seating charts. Assigning seats is not a new practice, as some districts
have been taking this approach for years. For others, though, what became necessary to avoid the spread of an infectious disease is now seen as an advantageous strategy for a calmer school bus environment. “Seating arrangements can be used to make riders
feel at ease and as positive rewards for good behavior,” noted transportation consultant Launi Schmutz-Harden. “Everyone likes to know they have a seat and where it is ahead of time.” The consultant, who retired as director of transporta-
tion for Washington County School District in southwest Utah just prior to the pandmic, added that students do best with a daily routine and feel more secure and comfortable when they know where to sit. With that in mind, school bus drivers can reward positive behavior by assigning students to sit with friends or in areas they otherwise prefer. But more importantly, the practice can be especially helpful in times of emergencies.
Evolving Use At Oregon’s Beaverton School District, the pan-
demic became the catalyst for requiring drivers to use seating charts, explained Craig Beaver, administrator for transportation. “We instituted them to aid with student identification
and cohorting with much success,” he said. “While we did not require seating charts this year, we strongly en- couraged drivers to chart their elementary students.” About one-third of the district’s drivers have contin-
ued the practice, finding it has been helpful in getting to know their students. Charts have also aided drivers in determining which students assigned to the route are not utilizing the service. “Sometimes this allows us to remove a stop or adjust routing to relieve overcrowding on another route,” Beaver added. A similar direction was taken by Sweetwater County
16 School Transportation News • NOVEMBER 2022
School District in Green River, Wyoming. Before the pandemic, seating assignments were standard only for elementary students, but that has changed. “We were starting the practice of using them for the
older students, and then COVID made it so that we could enforce it more regularly,” recalled Rachel Todd,the transportation supervisor. “We will continue the practice of seating charts for not only routes but also over-the- road trips.” Todd said the practice has significantly helped in managing student behavior. Her drivers start with letting students pick their assigned seats, within pre-set pa- rameters. But if they don’t follow the bus rules, they are moved to a “hot” seat. The details on charts can also help with following up
PHOTO COURTESY OF EXETER TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT.
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