The Road to LearningTransportation 101

CASBO November 7, 2013

Shawn Higginbotham, Associate SuperintendentLake Hamilton School District

Topics

• Legal Basis and Authority• Drivers• Safety• Preparedness• Equipment• Inspections and Maintenance• State Reporting

Do school buses matter?

• Safety• Traffic• Environment• Reliability• Free access to

education

Evolution of School Transportation

Quick Facts

In Arkansas: Approximately 5,000 route buses 325,000 student passengers 243,000 route miles per day 43,200,000 miles per year 2 fatalities since 2001 922 square miles in largest school district 22 square miles in smallest

2011-12 Student Transportation Data

Statewide expenditures: $196,344,334 4.8% of net total expenditures Range per pupil spending: $115 to $1,123 Avg. per pupil spending: $450.59 Avg. cost per mile: $3.86

$1.64 for driver costs $2.22 to operate and maintain

Compiled from the Annual Statistical Report

Funding

Included in the per pupil funding model (matrix)

• Fiscal Year 14 $315.50 ($6,393)

• Fiscal Year 15 $321.20 ($6,521)

Supplemental Transportation Funding 2011-12

Is public school pupil transportation…

• Required?• Necessary?• Effective?• Efficient?• Expected?• Part of an “adequate” education?• A headache?!!

Legal Basis

Are public schools in Arkansas required to provide transportation for students to and from school?

Authority

• 6-19-101 authorizes the State Board to set standards to “provide a safe, efficient, and economical system of pupil transportation.”

• 6-19-102 gives local boards of directors authority to purchase buses and hire drivers, “affording safe and convenient transportation to the pupils…”

• Not be required but EXPECTED

Main State Governing Agency

Division of Public School Academic Facilities and

Transportation

Policy Requirements

• School Districts must have written policies for:– Transportation eligibility

– Student behavior while being transported

– Emergency procedures while being transported

School Bus Drivers

Driver Qualifications• 6-19-106 – May not be “physically

defective or of unsound mind, known to be a habitual drunkard or of immoral habits”

– Cannot have “general reputation of being a fast and reckless operator of motor vehicles without regard to the rights of others”

Other Driver Requirements

• 6-19-107 submit to driving record checks

• 6-19-108 pass exams required by DPSAFT and ASP– Written/oral tests– Road test– Includes physical exam by licensed physician – Pre-service behind-the-wheel training

Driver Licensure• Class B CDL (generally)

• Endorsements required– “S” School Bus– “P” Passenger– Air Brakes

• Driver records checked twice annually

• District maintains records

Physical Exams Required

• Condition of employment– Includes pre-employment and random drug and

alcohol screens– Negative tuberculosis skin test

• Physical documented every two years

• Restricted access to physical results – supervisors and managers

Physical Exam Details

– Vision – 20/40; field of vision; color blind

– Hearing – perceive forced whisper ≥ 5 ft.

– Cardiovascular disease – interfere with driving

– Lung abnormalities – interfere with driving

– Blood pressure – outside normal limits

– Epilepsy/seizures – none allowed

Physicals (cont’d)

• Amputation – must be granted a Skills Performance Evaluation Certificate

• Alcoholism – diagnosed not allowed

• Drug Use – not allowed

• Diabetes – if insulin dependent, not allowed

Driver Training

• Local driver training program required

• Minimum of 24 hours of pre-service training

• DPSAFT will provide three hours training annually

• DPSAFT will issue certification of completion

Why drive a school bus?

Survey Results

Reason Percent Responding

Work Schedules 24.7%

Like Children 17.6%

Like Buses 16.1%

Benefits 9.7%

Only Job Around 2.8%

Pay 2.9%

Other 26.2%

Driver Survey Continued

What would make your job more satisfying?– Better pay/benefits (46.4%)– More training– More career development– More hands-on support from supervisor– More feedback/recognition

Bus Driver’s EducationHighest Level Completed Percentage

Post-Graduate degree 2.1%

Some College 48.4%

Less than high school diploma/GED 1.4%

Drivers’ Benefits• Insurance eligibility (6-17-1116) – Defines full time status – 720 hours during the

school year (178 days = 4.05 hours per day)– Provides for bus driver eligibility to participate in

group health insurance – employee pays full premium

– District may opt to pay match

• Paid sick leave eligibility (6-17-1301)– Works “not less than 20 hours per week”– One day per month or major portion thereof

Driver Records• Bus driver files should include:– Current CDL– Physical examination– Proof of state & federal background check (after

4/10/1997)– Central registry check (after 7/1/09)– Semi-annual driving records check– TB test results– Proof of pre-employment drug and alcohol testing

(after 12/31/1995)– Any random drug testing

Driver Recruitment• Parents (usually mom)• Grandparents• Law Enforcement Officers• Ministers/Pastors• Self-employed (farmers, barbers, etc.)• Retirees (bored or broke)• Non-insured ??

Driver Retention

• Banquet• Awards• Jackets/Shirts• Benefits• Trips• Simple Appreciation: “Thank You”• Support from Administrators, Parents• Equipment Improvement

Substitute Drivers

• Important to provide – training – route description sheet– information about students with special needs– support and TLC– morning departure time– special mechanical quirks

• Must meet all CDL requirements

Safety

“American students are nearly eight times safer riding in a school bus than with their own parents and guardians in cars.”

Fatality rates per 100 million miles traveled: School buses .02 fatalities Cars 1.5 fatalities

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Loading/Unloading Safety• 27-51-1004 prohibits passing

school bus with lights activated for loading/unloading

• 6-19-110 and 27-51-1003 define loading/unloading points and procedures

• 6-19-110 requires bus drivers to report violations and prosecutors to report to superintendents

Loading Danger Zone

Driver Responsibilities

• 27-51-1002 requires drivers to conduct pre-trip inspections

• 6-19-102 requires drivers to use seat belt

No Firearms

• 5-73-119 prohibits possession of firearm on school property specifically including school buses and “at a designated stop identified on the route list published…”– Defense to prosecution under this section if “the

person is a minor engaged in lawful marksmanship competition or practice under the supervision of his or her parent…”

Prohibited Entry• 5-39-214 prohibits unauthorized entry of a school bus and requires signage

– A person over 18 may not • Enter the bus with criminal intent• Disregard the instruction of the driver• Enter and refuse to leave• Causes or attempts to cause disruption or annoyance• Engages in reckless conduct that causes a substantial risk of creating apprehension in any

person on the bus

Cell Phones Prohibited

• 6-19-120 prohibits driver use of cell phone while operating bus except in emergency or breakdown

Penalties for Drug Activity

• 5-64-411 enhances penalties for drug activity if committed within 1000 feet of– Public or private school property, including buses– Designated bus stop as identified on the route list

published…– Exempts bus stops from posting requirement

Passengers Must Be Seated

• 6-19-119 – Driver may not

operate until every passenger is seated

– Accountability is assigned to superintendent

– Imposes fines for knowingly violating

Anti-Bullying

• 6-18-514• “…shall adopt policies to prevent pupil

harassment known as bullying…”

• “…on school buses, at designated stops…”

• Requires anti-bullying notices to be posted on buses

Seatbelts

• Passengers are protected “like eggs in a carton.”

• All a child must do to be protected is to sit down in a seat.

• Even without seatbelts school buses are still the safest way transport students.

Speeding

• Buses must observe speed limits for other traffic except when commercial vehicle limit is posted differently.

• Example: Speed limit on an interstate is posted as 75 and 65 for trucks. School buses must observe the 65 mph limit.

Being Prepared

Evacuation Drills

Tornado Procedure

• Use the best available procedure for your part of the state

• Consult administrators and others

Accident KitThe kit should contain:– Clipboard, ink pens – Blank seating charts– Camera– Laminated business cards with phone/fax numbers and

addresses– 100 foot tape measure, – Insurance info– Phone numbers

• Drug and alcohol testing• Wrecker services• Area hospital(s)• Drivers’ emergency contacts

– Umbrella

Accident Action Plan

• Designate employees for these responsibilities:– Media spokesperson– District spokesperson at hospital– Accident kit to scene– Interview driver and witnesses– Arrange for drug and alcohol test– Notify schools and school board of accident

Accident Action Plan (cont’d)

• Notify driver’s family/spouse• Notify insurance company• Take and log phone calls• Operate the radio• Dispatch requested equipment and personnel• Procedure to release students to parents• Post-accident parent notification• Official statement

Accident Action Plan (cont’d)

• Complete seating chart• Generate a passenger list – parent name, address, phone number– student name and date of birth

• Deliver replacement bus• Find replacement driver• Photograph scene• Remove wrecked bus

Equipment

Special Consideration

• Pre-school children

• Special needs students

Specifications• 6-19-111 design and operation• 6-19-113 exempt - motor vehicle registration• 6-19-116 mirrors• 6-19-117 strobe lights and crossing gates• 27-51-1002 color, warning lights, signage

Permit Numbering System

9-5-11

• First number – County• Second Number – District• Third number – Bus

• Statute ACA 6-19-115

Special Safety Features

• Passenger crash protection• Better brakes• Warning lights• Special mirrors• Swing-out stop arms and crossing gates• Emergency exits• Rollover protection• Fuel system protection

Modernization• Gate arms• Sleeping child alarms• Front window design• Increased emergency exit space• Reinforced side panels• Higher seat backs• High visibility exterior markings• Video surveillance • Satellite tracking and data

Equipment Replacement

• Buses may not be more than twenty years old

• All buses must pass State Inspection

Inspections and Maintenance Records

Preventive Maintenance Inspections

Four PMI inspections per yearPerformed locally

Inpsection Intervals in Miles RequirementsA 1000 miles (or monthly) Safety equipment and air brake adjustmentB 3,000 (gas) 6,000 (diesel) A+ oil changeC 12,000 A+B+ tune up (gasoline only)D 24,000 A+B+C+ transmission

Bus Records

• PMI documented on DPSAFT forms

• Kept as long as the district owns the bus

• Repair work orders repairs signed by mechanic

• Driver daily inspection forms

Maintenance Files

• Includes:– All mechanical work– Parts removed or replaced– Year, make, model, VIN, mileage, bus number,

district– Date of various inspections, repairs, maintenance

• Readily accessible to DPSAFT inspectors

State/Local Inspections

• State Inspections– Compliance with Arkansas School Bus Inspection

Handbook

– Can take bus out of service; can’t operate until state inspector has re-inspected

– Inspection stickers

• District mechanic – 2 inspections per year

School Bus Inspection Handbook

• Criteria for bus to remain in service

• Local inspection guidelines

• Technical standards for repair and replacement

Inspection Results

Fiscal Year 2011 6,742 buses in the state 471 buses grounded 55 buses put on 30 day limited use 8% of the buses inspected were found to have

at least one “major deficiency” 861 major deficiencies found 11,310 minor deficiencies found

Step Well Crack

EMERGENCY BRAKE

RELEASE

State Reporting Requirements

Transportation Data in SIS

• Submitted in Cycles 3, 5, 6, and 7

• Personnel – Employees reported with CDL (Cycle 3 only)

• Bus data – each bus in fleet– Inspections– Description– Purchase Details– FY Statistics

Driver Data Collected in SIS

• Name of each employee with CDL• SSN• CDL #• Date of most recent physical

• Confirmation of– Driving records check– Non-Criminal Background Check– Pre-Employment Drug/Alcohol Screen

• Annual training date

Pupil Transportation Data• Distance from school

• Transportation Eligibility– T= resides at least 2 miles from school– N=resides ˂ 2 miles from school

• Travel Type– B=bus– G=parent/guardian– D=drives self– P=district paid

Other Transportation Data• Supplemental Transportation

– Choice– Transfers– Special Education– Non-Public School Students

• Bus Safety Program

• Extracurricular Athletic Miles Traveled

• Extracurricular Non-Athletic Miles Traveled

• Fleet Insurance Carrier

Initiatives

• Mobile Learning Technology Pilot Program

• Parental Volunteer Monitors on School Buses

• Safety Equipment Grant Program

• Compressed Natural Gas Bus Pilot Program

• Green Ribbon Schools – Alternative Transp.

Resources for More Information• Division of Public School Academic Facilities and

Transportation• National Association for Pupil Transportation• National School Transportation Association• National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation• School Bus Fleet• School Transportation News• National Highway Transportation Safety Administration• National Transportation Safety Board• US Department of Transportation• School Bus Information Council