WHO ARE WE?





Cherokee County School System
Transportation
40 Miles North of Atlanta
37,000 Students
357 Bus Routes
Gene Thomason-Director



23 Years
gene.thomason@cherokee.k12.ga.us
770-720-2112
IMPORTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

NOT part of other duties assigned
ALL STAFF

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR



Does your operation run smoother when your
absent?
Does your operation run smoothly when
others are absent?
Does your operation have a plan B, someone
who can fill in for anybody who may be
absent including:
Secretaries
 Technicians
 Trainers
 Supervisors

VOLUNTARY TRAINING

Classes that are not required

Classes can be fun as well as educational

Classes can be tailored to suite driver needs
SALARIES


Direct link between salary and the quality
and quantity of your applicant pool
Steps do not have to only be longevity
raises

50 hours of off the clock training can result in
a step increase

One for longevity and two for training each year
Presenters: Courses can be developed
and presented by your own staff and
outside volunteers such as:





GEMA- Georgia Emergency Management Association
(Weapon Screening, Bullying, Computer Safety)
Principals of your schools- (Student Management, What
they expect on write up sheets, how to communicate)
School Police- (When to call for help)
School Nurses- (First aid)
County Emergency Agents- (Fire department-How to use
your fire extinguisher-Police department-Safety on the
bus
SAMPLE COURSES

Employee Burnout

Sources: EAP, Staff, Risk
Management, Trainers,
Clinics, Hospitals

Main Objective: It takes
100%, 100% of the time
to be an effective bus
driver!

Stress Reduction

Sources: EAP, Consultants,
Massage Therapists,
Trainers, School Nurses

Main Objective: Better
productivity, Less
absences, Better Attitudes

Trains, Trains, Trains

Sources: Operation
Lifesaver, Local Train
Museum, State
Statistics, Local Train
Ride, Railroad
Officials

Main Objective:
Reduce the number of
railway grade crossing
accidents

Student Management

Sources: Trainers,
Principals, Office Staff,
Bus Drivers, Panel
Discussions, School
Police

Main Objective:
Decrease student
referrals, Less driver
distraction

CPR Classes

Sources: School
Nurses, EMA,
Hospitals, Certified
Staff

Main Objective:
Save Lives in an
emergency
situation

Mirrors, Do You
Get The Point?

Sources: Trainers,
Handouts

Main Objective: To
prevent accidents
REFERENCE POINTS AND MIRROR GRID
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
13
11
14
15
16
In your left driving (or convex) mirror, you should be able to see dots number 12
and 13.
In your right driving (or convex) mirror, you should be able to see dots number 14
and 15.
In your left crossover mirror, you should be able to see dots number 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 12, and 13.
In your right crossover mirror, you should be able to see dots number 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8,
9, 11, 14, 15, and 16.

Driving Range Class

Sources: Trainers


New Drivers Class

Main Objective:
Improve driving skills,
reduce accidents
Rear Bumper Placement at a Railroad Crossing
Sources: Trainers,
Office Staff, Veteran
Drivers

Main Objective: Letting
new drivers vent, How
to make job better
GEMA CLASSES





Dangers of Meth
Dangers of Internet Predators
Weapons Class
Dangers of Abductions
Dangers of Terrorism


Classes can be offered at night
Drivers children invited

Emergency 911

Sources: EMA, Fire
Department, Police
Department, School
Police

Main Objective: What
to do about a mass
evacuation, mass
destruction

Special Ed Classes
Sources:
PT, OT, Sp
Ed Director, Strap
Manufacturers

Main Objective:
Educate drivers on
EBD, Autism,
Seizures,
Wheelchair
Restraints
SAMPLERecognize with different status drivers




To reach LEVEL II status driver must attend all mandatory meetings
required to maintain their LEVEL I driver position. They must then attend
the following core classes:
• 301 CPR Certification
• 302 First Aid/Medical for Drivers’ Certification
• 601 Basic Student Management
4 Hrs
3 Hrs
3 Hrs
Elective Classes
Elective class hours are selected by drivers (minimum)
Total Minimum Hours for Advancement
20 Hrs.
30 Hrs
Practical Application
A minimum of 11 months to attain this level is required plus having successfully completed Level I
requirements
Once a driver has reached level II status they will receive a
15% pay increase
LEVEL II AWARD
SAMPLERecognize with different status drivers




To reach LEVEL III status a driver must have met the requirements for a LEVEL II
driver position. The following core classes are then mandatory and apply to the
LEVEL III driver position:
• 301A CPR Re-certification (or CPR certificate is current) 4 Hrs
• 302A First Aid/Medical for Re-certification
3 Hrs
• 603 Advanced Student Management
3 Hrs
Elective Classes
Elective class hours are selected by drivers minimum
Total Minimum Hours for Advancement
14 Hrs.
24 Hrs
Practical Application
A minimum of 11 months to attain this level is required plus having successfully completed Level II
requirements
Once a driver has received level III status
they will receive a 10% pay increase
LEVEL III AWARD
Salary Flow Chart
Salary Chart
Level 1 Step 1
Level II Step 2
Level III Step 3
12,964.00
14,959.00
16,319.00
Level III Step 20
22,301.00
11 Months
11 Months
STAFF TRAINING
(Office Staff and Technicians)



On Line Technical Classes (Such as
Business Courses, Power Point,
Management Classes)
Risk Management Courses
AES Classes for Technicians

Pay increases using steps
STAFF TRAINING











Classes are offered for step advancement for both staff and
technicians
50 Hours advance a step
Maximum of two step increases per calendar year
Work hour training is credited toward regular training hours
Non-Work hour training is credited for advancement of steps
All training must be pre-approved by appropriate supervisor
Technical training that benefits your specific job is acceptable
Graded courses are eligible for credit only if grade “C” or better is
received
EXAMPLE: Technician who is a : VT5 Step 15 = $44,816.00 a year
In 12 months you can advance
1 automatic yearly step + 2 steps for 100 hours training which would
make you a :
VT5 Step 18 = $47,610.00 a year
RECORD TRACKING




Set classes up following a college curriculum
Give training hours credit for each class
Find a reward system such as (certificates,
recognition among peers, pins, magnets, new
bus for driver with most training hours in a years
time, AWARD with an extra step increase for so
many hours of credit)
Send out monthly calendars promoting classes
683
HOW TO GET INFORMATION TO YOUR
EMPLOYEES
RELIEF (SUBSTITUTES) DRIVERS



Relief Drivers are hired in as Full Time Employees
Insurance and benefits start within 30 days of
being hired
21 Full Time employees with benefits
RETIRE AND REHIRE


Option to retire and start back to work the
next day with no break in benefits
SUPPLEMENTAL RETIRMENT PLAN
403 (B) The board of education can
provide supplemental retirement to the
current PSE

Match 50% or contributions up to 4% of
Gross income a year
2nd Career Opportunities
Because of the economy and rising insurance
prices, we are currently seeing an increase in
the 50 and older applicants. With just 10 years
to be vested this is a good 2nd retirement
opportunity for them.
Kenneth Dickerson has been driving for
Cherokee County for 55 years. He will start the
2008-2009 school year on his 56th year. Mr.
Dickerson expects to continue his service for
us for another 10 years.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE PROGRAM
PERFECT ATTANDANCE

No absences

Luncheon

Drawing for new bus
EXEMPLARARY DRIVER PROGRAM
EXEMPLARARY DRIVER

Jackets

One day or less absent

No chargeable accidents

Turns in paperwork on time

Not on the top 10 dirty bus list
OTHER AWARDS





CLEAN BUS AWARDS
LONGEIVITY AWARDS
ROAD-E-O WINNERS
RETIREES
TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
GEORGIA DOE TECHNICIAN OF
THE YEAR
2007-2008
•
•
•
2005-2006
Neal has worked for Cherokee County for 19 years
•
Neal has accumulated over 800 hours of additional
training, he is ASE Certified Master Technician in School
Bus, Automotive Repair, and has other ASE
certifications
•
His expert knowledge and training is an asset to
Cherokee County Transportation Department
•
Brad has worked for Cherokee County for 10 years
Brad has accumulated over 400 hours of
additional training, with several Ford & ASE
Certifications
Brad’s training and knowledge has enabled him to
become a shop foreman for Cherokee County
School District
CAROL CAVINESS AWARDED VALOR
AWARD FOR SAVING CHOKING CHILD
Carol Caviness and Killian
Danny Hendricks Valor Award
Other Incentives





Your children 3 and
above can ride your bus
Your children can
attend the school you
drive for
You can retire and
rehire the same day
without losing benefits
403B Plan employee
matches .50 of every
1.00 given up to 4%
PSE retirement benefits
payable after a
minimum of 10 years of
service $4.00 a month


Open door policyDrivers are
encouraged to come
to us whenever they
need to
Letters of recognition
are sent to drivers by
the Coordinator of
Routing and
Operations when they
go over and beyond.
(Example: Parents call
in to compliment
driver, helping out
other drivers without
being asked.)
EAP PROGRAM: LifeWorks-A
place to turn for information and
support.
BENEFITS
•Better
pay for staff
•Better training
•Better pay for drivers
•Better professionalism
•Less turnover of staff
and drivers
•Safer programs