La Porte I. S. D.
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2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 1 Wheels to Learning TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT Passage to Excellence 2011 - 2012 Table of Contents Page 2 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Table of Contents District Structure and Schedules Transportation Mission Statement ............................ 4 By the Numbers ........................................................ 4 Contact Numbers ...................................................... 4 La Porte ISD Leadership .......................................... 4 La Porte ISD Elementary Calendar .......................... 6 La Porte ISD Secondary Calendar ........................... 7 Important Dates to Remember ................................. 8 School Contact Information ...................................... 9 Bell Schedule .......................................................... 10 Professional Conduct and Decorum Employee Standards of Conduct ............................ 11 Smoking Policy ....................................................... 11 Alcohol and Drug Policy ......................................... 11 Children in the Workplace ...................................... 12 Communications ..................................................... 12 Wireless Communications Address and Telephone Number Mailboxes Messages Employee Telephone Calls Dress Code ............................................................. 13 Shorts Skirts/Shorts/Culottes Pants Footwear Undergarments Hats/Caps Tattoos Body Piercing Appropriate Speech ................................................ 14 Restricted Areas ..................................................... 14 Vehicle Parking ....................................................... 14 Identification & Presence on School Campus ........ 14 Employee Responsibilities Safety Meetings and other Workshops................... 16 Safety Meeting Etiquette Assignments ........................................................... 16 Bus Assignments Regular Route Assignments Mid-day Route & Extra Duty Assignments Performance Evaluation ......................................... 17 Disciplinary Action .................................................. 18 Job Requirements................................................... 19 Bus Monitors Bus Drivers Lead Drivers Driver Certifications ................................................ 20 Licensing Physical Exam Certification Table of Contents Documentation Standards of Service ..............................................21 Driving Record Traffic Violations Driver Impairment Wages and Benefits Compensation .........................................................22 Wages Overtime Incentive Pay Position Vacancies Retirement Benefits ................................................22 Resignations ...........................................................22 Leaves and Absences ............................................23 Definitions Employee Responsibilities Availability of Leaves and Absences Family Medical and Leave Act Accidents & Injuries Safety in the Workplace ..........................................27 Areas of Concern Employee Injuries ...................................................27 Procedures Student Injuries .......................................................28 Vehicular Accident ..................................................29 Collision Procedures Post-Accident Drug/Alcohol Screening Accident Reduction Plan .........................................30 Observation and Reduction Consequences Routes and Route Operations Vehicle Use .............................................................32 Restrictions Keys Bus Parking Bus Service Doors Passengers Leaving the Bus Unattended Vehicular Cleanliness Personal Items/Clutter Route Guidelines ....................................................35 Route Directions and Bus Stops Authorized Riders Student Overload Time Schedule Pre & Post Trip Responsibilities and Procedures ...34 Pre-trip Post-trip Route Delays and Detours ......................................35 When a Student Has Missed Their Bus 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Disruptive Students Traffic Delays Inclement Weather Detours and Road Hazards Mechanical Breakdown Procedure ......................... 37 Fueling Procedures................................................. 37 Radio Communications .......................................... 37 2-Way UHF Radios Driving Operations .................................................. 38 Idle Time Traffic Rules on La Porte ISD Property Lane Selection and Use Passing Other School Buses Toll-Road Driving Hazardous Considerations ..................................... 39 Emergency Notification Plan .................................. 40 Field Trips Overview ................................................................. 42 Field Trip Guidelines Field Trip Responsibilities Compensation Special Instructions Student Management Expectations ........................................................... 46 Greet Your Students ............................................... 46 Control and Authority .............................................. 46 School Bus Safety Rules ........................................ 46 Documentation........................................................ 47 Documentation Log Driver Actions ......................................................... 47 Communicate Expectations Assigning Seats Bus Safety Referral Confiscated Items Campus Action ....................................................... 49 AEP / DAEP Students............................................. 49 Pre-K Students ....................................................... 49 Activity/ Tutorial Routes .......................................... 49 Key Points to Remember About Student Mgmt ...... 50 Video and Audio Recording Equipment in Use ...... 51 Child Abuse Reporting Procedures ........................ 51 Transfer of Medication ............................................ 52 Page 3 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ............52 What is it? What does it mean? Confidentiality Special Needs Legal Requirements ................................................52 Team Responsibilities .............................................52 Driver Responsibilities Monitor Responsibilities Special Needs Route Services ...............................53 Curb-to-Curb Entering the Home of a Student Leaving Students Unattended Time Schedule Student Absences Communication and Interaction ..............................54 Confidentiality .........................................................54 Universal Precautions .............................................54 Transporting Students with Wheelchairs ................54 Basic Cautions Damaged / Unsafe Wheelchairs Car Seats and Safety Vests ....................................55 Seatbelts .................................................................55 Exhibits Incident Report Form ..............................................57 Employee Request for Leave Form ........................58 Absence from Duty Form ........................................59 Pre-Trip Inspection Form ........................................60 Pre-trip Inspection Procedure .................................61 Vehicle Work Order (sample) .................................65 Student Registration Packet ...................................66 Bus Rider Status Form ...........................................68 School Bus Safety Report .......................................69 Seating Chart ..........................................................70 Route Hazard Report ..............................................71 Tutorial Route Report .............................................72 Special Needs Transportation Brochure .................73 Field Trip Driver Application ....................................75 Field Trip Notification Form .....................................76 Job Descriptions .....................................................78 School Bus Drivers’ Driving Record Evaluation ......82 Handbook Receipt ..................................................91 Table of Contents Page 4 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook District Structure and Schedules Transportation Mission Statement It is the mission of the La Porte ISD Transportation Department to provide safe, efficient, and professional transportation services for all qualifying students of La Porte ISD while supporting the district educational mission. Contact Numbers Transportation Department (281) 604-7177 – Main Line (281) 604-7178 – Fax (713) 494-5679 – Emergency Line (281) 604-7174 – Transportation Supervisor La Porte ISD Administration Building (281) 604-7000 La Porte ISD Leadership School Board Members Kathy Green Craig Hulcy Dee Anne Thomson Virginia Pierson-Turner Bill Snead Lee Wallace Charlcya Wheeler District Structure and Schedules President Vice President Secretary Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 5 Central Administration Mr. Lloyd Graham Linda Wadleigh Mike Clausen Rhonda Cumbie, CPA Dr. Vonn Murray Janice Edwards David Knowles Isela Montes Corey Marlar Lawrence “Eddie” Hill April Fox Terri Cook Superintendent of Schools Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Assistant Superintendent Chief Financial Officer Executive Director –Educational Initiatives and Program Evaluations Executive Director of Human Resources Executive Director of Secondary Education Executive Director of Elementary Education Executive Director of Operations, Maintenance & Transportation Executive Director of Technology Director of Special Education Public Information Officer Transportation Department District Structure and Schedules Page 6 District Structure and Schedules 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 7 District Structure and Schedules Page 8 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Important Dates to Remember National School Bus Safety Week October 17 - 21, 2011 Transportation Luncheon Schedule Thanksgiving Luncheon Friday, November 18, 2011 Christmas Breakfast Friday, December 16, 2011 Tail Gate Party – Awards Ceremony TBA Early Dismissal Schedule October 7 School La Porte High School All Elementary Schools All Jr. High Schools DeWalt (A & B Side) Special Needs (PreK-5) Special Needs (6-8) Special Needs (9-12) District Structure and Schedules December 16 Bell Time 10:50 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m. 11:45 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m. February 17 Clock-In Time 10:20 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:15 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. June 1 Depart Time 10:35 a.m. 11:45 a.m. 12:15 p.m. 10:15 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 12:15 p.m. 10:15 a.m. 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 9 School Contact Information La Porte High School Principal Associate Principal 301 E. Fairmont Pkwy. Todd Schoppe Jason McConnell Grades 9-12 (281) 604-7500 DeWalt Alternative Campus Principal 401 N. 2nd St. Debbie Stewart La Porte Jr. High School Principal Associate Principal Assistant Principal 401 S. Broadway St. Cynthia Anderson Mike Clyde Flo Atkins Grades 7-8 (281) 604-6600 Lomax Jr. High School 9801 N. L St. Danette Tilley Alicia Upchurch Andre Credit Grades 7-8 (281) 604-6700 Baker Sixth Grade Campus Principal Assistant Principal 9800 Spencer Hwy Camilla Whitlock Terance Willms Grade 6 (281) 604-6800 Bayshore Elementary School Principal Assistant Principal 301 Fairfield Ave Patricia Herrera-Johnson Allicia Upchurch Grades PK-5 (281) 604-4600 College Park Elementary School Principal Assistant Principal 4315 Luella Blvd (Deer Park) Vicki Defee Carol Williams Grades PK-5 (281) 604-4400 Heritage Elementary School Principal Assistant Principal 4301 East Blvd (Deer Park) Jewel Whitfield Grisel Wallace Grades K-5 (281) 604-2600 La Porte Elementary School Principal Assistant Principal 725 S. Broadway St Angela Garza-Viator Kristi Peterson Grades K-5 (281) 604-4700 Lomax Elementary School Principal Assistant Principal 10615 N. L St. Dan Eubank Diane Weeden Grades K-5 (281) 604-4300 Jennie Reid Elementary School Principal Assistant Principal 10001 Fairmont Pkwy. Patricia Herrera-Johnson Tami King Grades K-5 (281) 604-4500 Rizzuto Elementary School Principal Assistant Principal 3201 Farrington Blvd. Deon Williams Deanna Narcisse Grades K-5 (281) 604-6500 Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal (281) 604-6900 District Structure and Schedules Page 10 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook 2011-2012 Bell Schedules La Porte High School Regular Schedule Late Start Wednesdays 7:20 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Target Drop Off Time: Target Drop Off Time: 6:55 a.m. 8:45 a.m. DeWalt Alternative Campus Regular Schedule 7:30 a.m. – 2:20 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Target Drop Off Time: B side Target Drop Off Time: A side Target Drop Off Time: B side Target Drop Off Time: A side 7:00 a.m. 7:15 a.m. 8:45 a.m. 8:55 a.m. All Elementary Campuses Kindergarten – 5th Pre-K 7:50 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Target Drop Off Time: Target Drop Off Time: 7:35 a.m. 7:00 a.m. Jr. High Schools (La Porte, Lomax) 7th – 8th 8:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Target Drop Off Time: 8:05 a.m. Baker 6th Grade Campus 6th 8:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Target Drop Off Time: 8:05 a.m. Late Start Wednesdays District Structure and Schedules 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 11 Professional Conduct and Decorum Employee Standards of Conduct Employees are expected to observe the following standards of conduct: Recognize and respect the rights and property of students and co-workers and maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to students and co-workers. Report to work in accordance with assigned schedule. Notify the Transportation Supervisor in advance or dispatch at least 1 hour before you must be absent or late. Unauthorized absences, chronic absenteeism, tardiness, and failure to follow procedures will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Know and comply with department and district procedures and policies. Observe all safety rules and regulations and report any injuries or unsafe conditions to a supervisor immediately. (Note: failure to report injuries immediately to a supervisor may result in loss of benefits.) Use district time and property for authorized district business and activities only. For more complete information concerning the La Porte ISD Employee Standards of Conduct refer to the Board Policy Manual and the 2011-2012 La Porte ISD Employee Handbook. Smoking Policy Smoking or using tobacco products is prohibited on all district-owned property and at school-related or school-sanctioned activities, on or off campus. This includes all buildings, playground areas, parking facilities, and facilities used for athletics and other activities. Drivers of district owned vehicles are prohibited from smoking while inside the vehicle. Notices stating that smoking is prohibited by law and punishable by a fine are displayed in prominent places in all school buildings. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Alcohol and Drug Policy All transportation employees and any employee of the La Porte ISD who is required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is subject to drug and alcohol testing. This includes all drivers who operate a commercial motor vehicle designed to transport 16 or more people, including the driver. There are six types of required testing: Pre-Employment, Random, Post-Accident, Reasonable Suspicion, Return to Work, and Follow-up. Employees shall not unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess, use, or be under the influence of any of the following substances during working hours, while at work, or at any work-related activities during or outside of usual duty hours: Any controlled substance or dangerous drugs defined by law, including but not limited to marijuana, any narcotic drug, hallucinogen, stimulant, depressant, amphetamine, or barbiturate. Alcohol or any alcoholic beverage. Professional Conduct and Decorum Page 12 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Any inhalant: such as glue, aerosol paint, or any other chemical substance inhaled for the purpose of achieving a buzz. Any other intoxicant or mood-changing, mind-altering, or behavior-altering drugs. An employee need not be legally intoxicated to be considered “under the influence” of a controlled substance. EXCEPTION: While this policy does not include prescription drugs when taken as directed by a licensed physician, such medications, when altering behavior or thought, may preclude an employee from performing their duties. Medications which affect your mental or physical state in such a manner as to impact the performance of your duties must be reported to the director. Failure to report this information may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Disciplinary sanctions will be imposed on employees who violate the Drug Free School requirement. These sanctions (consistent with local, state, and federal laws) can include termination of employment and referral for prosecution. Children in the Workplace For safety reasons, employees may not bring their children or grandchildren to work or on the bus with them. Communications Wireless Communications Personal wireless communications devices are prohibited while on duty. Bluetooth devices must be removed before coming to work. Personal wireless communication devices are not permitted to be given to students except in cases where a student needs to make an emergency call to a parent. Such calls can be made at the discretion of the owner of the phone and must be made in the presence of the lender (i.e. driver, monitor). Address and Telephone Number All employees must provide the Transportation Department with an accurate telephone number(s) and mailing address. As changes occur, employees must update the information that is on file. Mailboxes Mailboxes are provided for drivers and monitors as a means of communication and to store their documentation. All employees must check their mailboxes before and after each run for important messages. In the event that an office staff member is not available to give them a message, you may leave your message or note with the dispatcher for the staff member to receive when they are available. Professional Conduct and Decorum 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 13 Messages Important messages and notices (such as road closings, weather announcements, safety meetings, etc.) concerning the department as a whole will be posted on the white board by the bus keys. Drivers are required to share all information with their monitor. All employees must check for updated information before and after each run for important messages. Employee Telephone Calls Due to the number of employees in the department, it is not possible or practical for drivers and monitors to receive personal telephone calls. Office staff will not accept messages for drivers or monitors. (Emergency situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.) Dress Code Transportation Employees are required to be in uniform at all times. Dress and appearance should be in good taste and appropriate for the duties being performed. Employees should be in dress code at the time that they report for duty. Shorts Shorts must be no shorter than the top of the knee cap while standing, and must be worn in a professional manner. Baggy shorts and excessively tight shorts are not permitted. Skirts/Skorts/Culottes Female employees may wear such items while on duty provided they fall no shorter than the top of the knee cap while standing, are not baggy, nor excessively form-fitting. Pants Pants must be worn at the waist and not below the hips. All pants must be black, tan, brown or blue denim. Capri pants are acceptable for female employees provided they extend below the knee-cap while the employee is standing. Sweat pants, spandex or form-fitting pants are not acceptable. Footwear Shoes must be worn at all times. Footwear must be closed at the toe and heel & secured at the heel for safety reasons for all employees. Shoes with extreme heels or platform soles pose tripping hazards and are inappropriate footwear while on duty. For comfort and safety, tennis shoes and other flat-heeled, non-skid shoes are recommended. The following are examples of inappropriate footwear: Professional Conduct and Decorum Page 14 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Undergarments Appropriate undergarments must be worn at all times. Hats/Caps Hats and caps which comply with district values and norms may be worn 1) so long as they do not interfere with the performance of your duties, and 2) so long as they are worn in an appropriate manner. Ball caps may not be worn with the bill to the side or to the back. Tattoos Tattoos are permitted to be worn by employees permitting they are not offensive, vulgar, sexually suggestive, or contradict the values or norms of La Porte I.S.D. in any manner. Should tattoos violate this policy, employees are required to cover them up at all times while in the performance of their duties. Body Piercing Visible body piercings (other than earrings for female employees) are not permitted. This includes tongue rings. Male employees are not permitted to wear earrings or studs. Appropriate Speech As school district employees, we are to conduct ourselves in an appropriate manner. The use of profanity and vulgar conversations is not in keeping with this expectation. Such behavior is to be kept out of the workplace. The use of profanity in the presence of students is a serious incident and will be treated as such with regard to disciplinary action. While on duty or on district property, conversation topics and language must be kept appropriate for the workplace. Gossip and negativity are not productive and reflect poorly on those involved; such conversational matter will also not be permitted in the workplace. Restricted Areas To ensure employee safety, drivers and monitors are not permitted to enter the work areas in the shop without express approval from the Transportation Supervisor. Additional areas denoted as restricted (such as, but not limited to, parts inventory and maintenance) are also off limits to unauthorized personnel. Vehicle Parking Employee parking spaces are on a first come, first served basis. Handicapped spaces are provided for those employees with a designated handicapped placard. Employees may not park in these spaces or on the adjacent access isle unless authorized by means of a verifiable handicapped placard. Exercise courtesy when parking to ensure the maximum number of spaces is available. No guarantees are made regarding protection from damage or burglary of personally owned vehicles parked on La Porte ISD property. Professional Conduct and Decorum 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 15 Identification & Presence on School Campuses To ensure safety in the workplace, all employees are required to wear the District-issued photo identification badge while on duty. When an employee of the transportation department has a need to enter a school campus building for any reason (to use the restroom, visit the office, etc.), the employee must enter the building through the front doors and display their District-issued photo identification badge at the office before going anywhere else in the building. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action. Professional Conduct and Decorum Page 16 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Employee Responsibilities Safety Meetings and other Workshops To ensure the highest possible quality of service and support all employees will receive training at the time of hire as well as continued training throughout the year. Monthly safety meetings will be on the second Wednesday of each month. A notice will be posted if the meeting must be rescheduled. All employees are required to attend monthly Safety Meetings. These meetings are used to inform employees of safetyrelated issues and provide information regarding any policy or procedural change. A sign-in sheet will be provided at the meeting in order to verify attendance and serve as documentation in order to pay employees for attendance. Time spent in Safety Meetings is paid at the employee’s regular hourly pay rate with a one (1) hour minimum. If an employee is unable to attend a Safety Meeting, then he or she is required to notify the Supervisor prior to the meeting and to obtain and sign ASAP for any minutes, notes, or handouts of the meeting when they are made available. Other workshops may be offered throughout the school year. When these become available, information will be posted. Attendance at these workshops will also be paid at the employee’s regular hourly pay rate unless otherwise indicated. Safety Meeting Etiquette It is important that proper etiquette be observed during the meeting. Refrain from side conversations or other talk while the meeting is in progress. Cell phones should be silenced while in the meeting is in progress. Cell phones should not be answered during this time. Questions should be held until the end of the meeting unless otherwise indicated by the speaker in order to keep the meeting on track. Do NOT air grievances and/or personal conflicts with another employee during a safety meeting. Unless you have another assignment in the Transportation Department or other pre-approved excuse, employees are not permitted to leave the Safety Meeting early. Assignments All employees are expected to cooperate with any changes in route, bus, field trip, or time schedule assignments which are made in support of the La Porte ISD Transportation Mission. Bus Assignments La Porte ISD buses are assigned to a route, not a driver. Buses will be allocated in a manner to best serve the needs of the department and district as a whole. Factors that will be considered when assigning buses to routes will be route mileage, road conditions, damage caused by students, as well as care and maintenance of the vehicle by the assigned driver. Changes in bus assignments may be made at any time. Regular Route Assignments Routes will be selected by joint agreement between drivers and Transportation staff. Drivers will be permitted to select a route based on the order of their evaluation score; however, final determinations are subject to the decision of the Transportation Supervisor. Drivers may be assigned a route if there is a need to match a particular set of skills to the needs of the students. Employee Responsibilities 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 17 Mid-day Route Assignments and Extra Duty Assignments Mid-day routes are routes that operate in the middle of the day to transport students with special needs who are attending the Pre-School Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD), as well as the ROTC program. When these routes become available, they are assigned according to seniority, past performance, and available scheduled hours. Extra duty assignments are irregularly scheduled routes which are of a limited time and duration during the school year, but which are not a direct component of regular routes. When these extra duties are available, they will be posted for drivers and monitors to sign-up. Some extra duty assignments may be assigned rather than posted due to time schedules or other constraints. Extra duty assignments are re-assigned annually. An employee may be removed from a mid-day route or extra duty assignment when the employee’s absenteeism causes hardship to the department with respect to the mid-day route assignment. Mid-day routes and extra duty assignments are not reassigned annually, only as needed. An employee is permitted to have either a mid-day route or an extra duty assignment, but not both. (Unless no other qualified employee who signed up is eligible for the assignment.) An employee may be removed from a mid-day route or extra duty assignment as part of disciplinary action. Eligibility To be eligible for a mid-day route or extra duty assignment the total number of scheduled work hours per week cannot exceed 40. Should a scheduling conflict occur between an employee’s regular route and an assigned mid-day route or extra duty, the mid-day route or extra duty will be reassigned. If another mid-day run or extra duty assignment becomes available, the employee removed from the previous assignment will be considered first. Posting of Extra Duty Assignments When extra duty assignments become available, they will be posted. The posting will remain active for 48 hours (2working days). Interested candidates may sign up in the Transportation Office. Compensation Drivers and monitors will be compensated for mid-day runs at their regular rate of pay. Extra duty assignments will pay trip pay unless otherwise noted. Trading of Assignments Employees are not permitted to trade extra assignments without the written approval of the Supervisor. Performance Evaluation All employees will have their job performance evaluated annually. In addition to this annual review, employees may have an informal mid-year review to serve as a “guidepost” to the employee. Performance evaluations will be utilized to determine an employee’s ranking for assignments, continued employment, or the need for refresher training. Employee Responsibilities Page 18 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook All employees have the option to respond in writing to the Transportation Supervisor concerning their evaluation. Evaluation Scoring Evaluations will use the following matrix in order to assess an employee’s dependability, capacity, and investment of skills and training: DRIVERS Attendance & Safety Work Behavior Longevity + x 100 % possible 50 possible points 50 possible points (% of attendance – Labor points assessed / Days available ÷ 181 = 10% reduction for total possible points= % % accidents) = % allotted allotted + Safety bonus Example: Jane Doe gets 42 points for attendance and 38 points for work behavior for a total of 80 points. Jane Doe only worked 5 months, and receives 57% of her score. Her final score is 45.6. *Scores do not carry a “good” or “bad” connotation. Scores provide markers indicating areas for improvement. MONITORS Work Behavior Longevity x 100 % possible 50 possible points Labor points assessed / Days available ÷ 181 = (% of attendance) = % total possible points = % % allotted allotted Example: Jane Doe gets 42 points for attendance and 38 points for work behavior for a total of 80 points. Jane Doe only worked 5 months, and receives 57% of her score. Her final score is 45.6. *Scores do not carry a “good” or “bad” connotation. Scores provide markers indicating areas for improvement. Attendance & Safety 50 possible points + Considerations may be made for extended absences due to extenuating personal medical circumstances (requiring hospitalization and subsequent recovery) or death in the immediate family (as defined in the leaves and absences section) and will be evaluated individually by the Transportation Supervisor. . Disciplinary Action Occasionally it becomes necessary for a supervisor or the District to take disciplinary action toward an employee. Discipline results when an employee’s actions do not conform with generally accepted standards of good behavior, when an employee violates work rules, or when an employee’s work performance is poor. The severity of the disciplinary action depends upon the nature and frequency of the offense. In most cases, disciplinary action is progressive and may range from oral warning(s), written warning(s), suspension from work (with or without pay) up to and including termination. In certain circumstances, an employee’s actions (or failure to act) may be serious enough to result in termination of employment rather than progressive disciplinary action. The following are situations which may result in termination of employment without prior disciplinary action: Insubordination or failure to comply with official directives Consuming, possessing, or being under the influence of an intoxicating substance (drug or alcohol) on La Porte ISD property or at District-sponsored events or activities. Employee Responsibilities 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 19 Conviction at trial court level of any felony or misdemeanor which is inconsistent with the safe operation of the Department. This includes conviction of any crime involving moral turpitude. Fighting, threatening, or attempting to do bodily injury to any employee or student of La Porte ISD. Bodily injury means pain, illness, or any impairment in physical condition. Possession of weapons on La Porte ISD property. Disorderly, disruptive, or immoral conduct on any La Porte ISD property. Stealing, misappropriation, abuse, misuse, deliberately damaging or destroying property, tools or equipment of La Porte ISD, its employees, or its students. Unauthorized use of La Porte ISD vehicles or equipment. Falsification of personnel records, insurance records, injury reports, or other official La Porte ISD records or making false statements on an application for employment. Falsifying or refusing to give testimony concerning accidents and/or incidents during the course of the normal investigation process. Leaving a child unattended on a school bus. Leaving job site early or without authorization. Absent without notification for three (3) or more days. (Job Abandonment) Disregarding active railroad signals. Failure to come to a complete stop before crossing any railroad crossing. Testing positive for any prohibited substance during a random or post accident drug test. Verified reports of violating traffic laws or regulations while operating a La Porte ISD vehicle. Nothing in this policy or in this handbook is intended to limit in any way the District’s right to terminate the employment of any employee at any time, with or without cause and with or without advance notice. Job Requirements Bus Monitors Perform all duties noted in their job description. Report for duty fifteen (10) minutes prior to scheduled departure time. Conduct a pre-trip inspection of all special needs equipment within the bus and submit repair and/or replacement requests on one of the computers in the conference room. Bus Monitors may not get keys from dispatch. Exercise caution and safety while performing job duties. This includes using all available safety equipment and reporting any and all unsafe conditions immediately. Assist in the loading and unloading of students, monitoring the safety of the students, and in managing behavior of students aboard the bus. Assist the driver in daily cleaning, closing windows, and preparing, collating, or submission of reports. Maintain confidentiality of information related to students. Bus Drivers Perform all duties noted in job description. Report for duty fifteen (10) minutes prior to scheduled departure time. Conduct and document a thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspection on every vehicle driven. Exercise caution and safety while performing duties; including using all available safety equipment and reporting any and all unsafe conditions immediately. Use appropriate, approved student management techniques to ensure and maintain student safety on the bus. Maintain confidentiality of information related to students. Ensure that any vehicle driven has adequate fuel for the route or field trip. Vehicles should be maintained with no less than ½ tank of fuel. Drive routes exactly as indicated on route sheets and notify the Router of any necessary route changes BEFORE making the change. Keep the bus interior clean; service before and after each run. Secure windows, roof hatches, and doors after each run. Employee Responsibilities Page 20 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Prepare and submit all required paperwork; including, but not limited to, seating charts, disciplinary reports, and student counts. These reports directly affect the funding for this department and the operations of the school district. Ensure that all state requirements for school bus drivers are met including license renewal, certification, and annual DOT physical, and that all documents are kept on person while on duty. Failure to maintain requirements may result in termination. Dispatcher/Routers In addition to those responsibilities listed for Bus Driver and Bus Monitor: Perform all duties noted in job description. Substitute on routes as Bus Drivers and Bus Monitors as needed. Serve as dispatchers for the Transportation. Serve as mentors for employees of the Transportation Department through observation and guidance. Assist drivers with route familiarization discuss any deviations when a route change is needed. Assist with training and retraining of drivers as necessary according to the La Porte ISD driver training procedures. Additional duties as assigned by the Transportation Supervisor. Driver Certifications Licensing All La Porte ISD employees who operate a school district vehicle must be properly licensed by the State of Texas to operate that vehicle. School bus drivers are required to hold a Class B (or higher) Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements. Physical Exam Every bus driver is responsible for maintaining a current, annual medical examination certificate. A standard Texas Department of Public Safety form must be completed by the District’s contracted service provider and submitted to the Transportation Department to be filed with confidential personnel records. La Porte ISD will pay the fee to the District’s contracted service provider for this physical. If a driver fails his or her physical and does not pursue corrective measures with their own physician, they will remain ineligible to drive a school bus and will be terminated. Certification All bus drivers are responsible for maintaining a current Texas Department of Public Safety sponsored school bus driver training certification by renewing every three years with an eight hour refresher course. Newly licensed drivers must complete the twenty hour basic school bus driver certification course within six months. Documentation All bus drivers are required to carry with them at all times these certifications: current, valid CDL current, valid Bus Driver Certification card current, valid physical examination certification Employee Responsibilities 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 21 These items will be checked periodically and if an employee is found without them, he or she will not be permitted to drive until such time that he or she can produce these documents. Standards of Service Driving Record All district employees who operate a district vehicle must maintain a driving record acceptable to the standards developed jointly by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Education Agency. The driving record must also be acceptable to the La Porte ISD fleet insurance carrier at the normal rate. All driver records are checked annually to ensure legal compliance. A school bus driver is disqualified from driving a school bus once he or she accumulates ten (10) points on his or her license. Points are assessed for violations that occur in any vehicle you drive. See the exhibit section for a listing of violations and the points assessed for each. Once a driver becomes disqualified from driving a school bus, he or she will no longer be eligible for employment as a school bus driver and must re-apply for another position for which he or she may be qualified. Traffic Violations All employees who drive a district vehicle are required to report any moving traffic violation for which they receive a ticket/citation from a peace officer and all collisions in which they are involved to their immediate supervisor by the end of the next business day. (This includes violations while driving their personal vehicles.) Notification shall be made by providing a copy of the citation to his/her immediate supervisor. Any employee who is issued a citation by a peace officer for violating a traffic law(s) that jeopardize the safety of students or school property (while performing his or her duties in a La Porte ISD vehicle) is subject to immediate termination. Any fines resulting from a traffic citation issued by a peace officer (while operating a La Porte ISD vehicle) are the responsibility of the employee and not the District. Verified reports of violating traffic laws or regulations while operating a La Porte ISD vehicle will result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension (with or without pay) and termination of employment. Driver Impairment No driver shall operate a La Porte ISD vehicle while the driver’s ability or alertness is impaired (or likely to become impaired) by fatigue, illness, or any other cause as to make it unsafe to begin or continue to operate the vehicle. Employee Responsibilities Page 22 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Wages and Benefits Compensation Wages Bus drivers and monitors are scheduled a minimum of 4.5 hours per day for 181 working days each school year. Scheduled assigned hours are determined by the length of the route and allow for fifteen (10) minutes in which to conduct a pre-trip inspection before each morning, mid-day, and afternoon route. Beginning hourly rate for employees shall be no less than the minimum posted in the Employee Compensation Plan (located on the district’s Human Resources website). This pay does not include adjustments for previous, verifiable experience of the same or equal capacity. The wage scales for all staff are approved by the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees as well as annual pay raises. Employees are paid twice each month in accordance with the published pay-day schedule. Annual wages for regular employees are pro-rated over twelve (12) months. All hourly employees shall clock in and out at each shift to ensure proper documentation of time worked. The number of hours worked will be calculated within the scheduled cut-off dates as established by the Payroll Department at Central Administration. All pay due during this period will be paid on the next regularly scheduled pay date. Field trips are supplemental and are paid at $12.26 per hour, with a minimum of 2 hours per trip. (For additional information concerning field trip guidelines, see the section in this handbook on field trips.) Midday routes are calculated as part of the daily route schedule. Extra assignments (tutoring, activity, etc.) are supplemental and are paid at the regular hourly rate. Bus routes and work assignments may be changed at any time during the school year to best serve the needs of the school district. The number of hours assigned to a driver or monitor cannot be guaranteed from one year to the next. Overtime No bus driver or monitor will be regularly scheduled for more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Bus drivers and monitors shall not be permitted to accumulate more than 40 hours per week, including extra trips, without prior authorization from the Director of Transportation or the Supervisor. Should an employee be required to work more than 40 hours in one week, they will be paid time and a half for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours for the week. Incentive Pay All drivers will receive additional pay if attendance is achieved as listed below throughout the school year. These incentives are also conditional upon available budget amount within the department. This means if the money is not available within the department budget, these incentives will not be given. Drivers 0 days missed = $300 .5 days missed = $250 1 day missed = $150 Monitors 0 days missed = $200 .5 days missed = $150 1 day missed = $100 Crossing Guards 0 days missed = $200 .5 days missed = $150 1 day missed = $100 Wages and Benefits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 23 Position Vacancies Vacancies shall be advertised on the LPISD webpage. Anyone, including current employees, may apply. Retirement Benefits All employees who work four or more hours per week shall be enrolled in the Teacher’s Retirement System of Texas (TRS). Your contributions may be withdrawn, without interest, upon termination or resignation. You are strongly encouraged not to withdraw your retirement funds until you are positive that you will not seek re-employment with La Porte ISD or another school district in the state of Texas to avoid taxes and early withdrawal fees. For a more extensive discussion of the Teacher’s Retirement System, refer to the La Porte ISD Employee Handbook. Resignations An employee shall submit a letter of resignation when leaving the school district. Final pay will be received on the next regularly scheduled pay date, and will be released only after the Exit Interview form is received in the district payroll office and all district materials and equipment (identification badges, district-issued shirts, and uniforms, gate keys, and facility Intelli-keys) are returned. It is requested that all employees give a two week notice of intent to resign. Two weeks notice of resignation must be given to be considered for a letter of recommendation. Leaves and Absences Definitions Absence Absence is defined as not reporting for work. Absences will fall under two categories: approved and unapproved. Approved absences may take the form of sick leave, personal leave, or jury duty. The fact that an employee notifies the department that he or she will be absent, however, does not necessarily excuse the absence. An employee who is absent from work for more than 2 weeks may lose their regular route and could be subject to reassignment upon his or her return to work. Once an employee has used all accumulated state and local leave and has been docked pay for days missed, disciplinary action may result including, but not limited to a disciplinary warning, suspension, or termination. An employee who shows a pattern of absence which is considered detrimental to the normal operation of the Department may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including reassignment, suspension, and/or termination. No Call / No Show When an employee fails to report for duty without notifying Transportation staff at least 30 minutes prior to an employee’s scheduled start time the absence is considered a no call / no show. The first occurrence of a no call / no show will result in a warning. Any subsequent occurrence of a no call / no show will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Wages and Benefits Page 24 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Tardiness Employees are expected to report to work in accordance with their assigned work schedule for daily routes as well as field trips and other assignments. When an employee fails to arrive ready to begin work at the scheduled time he/she is considered tardy. Tardiness will be discussed with the employee as a warning with disciplinary action for repeat incidents. Job Abandonment When an employee is absent from duty for three or more consecutive workdays without making the required notification, it is assumed that the employee has abandoned their position and is subject to automatic termination. Employee Responsibilities In the event that an employee is unable to report for duty, the employee shall notify the Transportation Department (281) 604-7177 at least one hour prior to departure time. At this time, the employee should state whether he or she will be absent for the next run time only or for the entire day. If the length of the absence is unknown, the employee shall call in daily to report. In the event that an employee is unable to report for duty for a mid-day route assignment, notification should be made 1 hour prior to clock in so that a substitute can be arranged. The employee shall make the notification to the Transportation Department personally instead of a spouse or other family member unless the employee is hospitalized or seriously injured. If an employee is absent and has not made the required communication at least 1 hour before the departure time for the route, the absence will be considered a “No Call/No Show” which will result in disciplinary action. If an employee has been absent, he or she must sign an absence from duty form immediately upon return to work. Failure to do so may result in loss of pay for the absence. The Director of Transportation or his designee will consider exceptions and emergencies on a case-by-case basis. Availability of Leaves and Absences Detailed information regarding leaves and absences can be found in the Board Policy Manual under DEC (legal) & DEC (local) and in the district Employee Handbook (located online). Types of Leave State Leave District employees are allotted five days per year. These days may be used as either non-discretionary (sick leave), or discretionary (personal). State leave days may accumulate. Local Leave District employees are allotted five days per year. These days may be used as either non-discretionary (sick leave), or discretionary (personal). State leave days may accumulate. Military Leave District employees are guaranteed the right to take time off for military leave. Court Absences for court appearances related to an employee’s personal business shall be deducted from the employee’s accumulated personal leave balance or may be taken as leave without pay (if no personal leave is available.) Wages and Benefits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 25 Jury Duty An employee who is in compliance with a summons to appear as a juror shall not be penalized for compliance. An employee serving jury duty will be paid his or her regular daily rate of pay while serving in any and all phases of jury duty, and he or she will not have his or her available leave balance reduced due to absences for jury duty. An employee who serves jury duty must provide a copy of the summons immediately upon receipt to the Transportation Department and a copy of the juror time card immediately upon return to work. Court documentation is required to ensure that the employee’s available leave balance is not affected. Assault Leave An employee who is physically assaulted during the performance of their duties is entitled to the number of days of leave necessary to recuperate from physical injuries sustained as a result of the assault. Accumulation of Leave State and local leave time is earned at the rate of one-half workday for each 18 workdays of employment, up to the statutory maximum of five workdays annually, and is available as it is earned. Paid leave shall not be approved for more workdays than have been accumulated in prior years plus those to be earned in the current school year. When an employee does not have any earned leave available for use, any days missed by the employee will result in docked pay for the absence. When an employee has exceeded available leave time any additional missed time will be docked from scheduled pay. Upon cessation of employment any days missed in excess of the allotted leave time shall be deducted from the employee’s final paycheck. Use of Leave Documentation An employee absent more than three consecutive workdays due to personal illness or illness in the immediate family shall submit medical certification of the illness. Upon return to work after any medical leave of absence, an employee shall provide medical certification that he or she is capable of performing the essential functions of his or her job, with or without reasonable accommodation. A medical certification for a school bus driver must state that the driver is capable of driving a school bus with school children. Any required documentation of illness must be submitted to the Transportation Supervisor upon return to duty before being authorized to resume duty. Without this notice, the employee is not authorized to return to work. If the Transportation Supervisor has concerns about the employee’s ability to safely perform his or her job duties upon returning to work without possible injury to students or him/herself, the Transportation Supervisor may require the employee’s attending physician to review the employee’s job description and document that the employee is released or restricted for each specific job duty. Wages and Benefits Page 26 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook A supervisor may require medical certification to substantiate absences from an employee who demonstrates a pattern of chronic absenteeism. Failure to provide requested documentation may result in docked pay for the date of absence. Restrictions Discretionary State Personal Business leave is to be taken at the individual employee’s discretion, subject to the following limitations: A written request for use of discretionary personal leave shall be submitted to the Assistant Director of Transportation a minimum of three days before the anticipated absence. (Note: submitting a request does not guarantee approval.) Discretionary personal leave shall not be approved for more than three consecutive days. Approval of discretionary personal leave is based upon the following conditions: A maximum of two (2) drivers will be permitted to be absent at one time using discretionary state personal leave. A maximum of one (1) monitor will be permitted to be absent at one time using discretionary state personal leave. A maximum of one (1) shop employee will be permitted to be absent at one time using discretionary personal leave. A maximum of one (1) office employee will be permitted to be absent at one time using discretionary personal leave. Recording Leave shall be recorded in whole workdays and half workdays. An absence for the morning or afternoon route will be considered a half day; an absence for both the morning and afternoon routes will be considered a whole day. An absence for an extra assignment, including Mid-Day routes, will result in no supplemental pay for the missed assignment and no deduction of accumulated leave. Family and Medical Leave Act An employee who has been employed for at least twelve (12) consecutive months and has worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous twelve (12) month period shall be entitled to twelve (12) workweeks of leave (during a twelve month period) without loss of any employment benefit accrued prior to the beginning of the leave. This leave may be used for the following purposes: Because of the birth or adoption, including placement for foster care, of the employee's child and in order to care for the child, provided the leave is taken within 12 months of the birth, adoption, or placement of the child. By agreement between the employee and the District, this leave may be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule. To care for the employee's spouse, child, or parent if the spouse, child, or parent has a serious health condition. Because of the employee's serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform functions of his or her position. For a more extensive discussion of Family and Medical Leave, refer to the La Porte ISD 2011 - 2012 Employee Handbook. Wages and Benefits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 27 Accidents & Injuries Safety In The Workplace Safety in the workplace should always be on the forefront of transportation services. This applies to the care of our riders, as well as the care of our employees. Because most injuries are preventable, every employee should be mindful of how they perform their duties. Areas of Concern Bus Parking Lot Employees should be mindful of their surroundings and the pathways they travel. Avoid walking through potholes and stepping into holes. Walk cautiously in areas where the gravel is loose. Avoid talking on a cell phone while walking over rough terrain. Bus Stairwell Due to the clearance between the lower step and the ground employees should take caution when entering and exiting the bus. Always use the handrail when entering and exiting the bus. Avoid stepping off of the bus onto uneven surfaces, loose gravel, or water covered areas. Ensure that students take these same precautions when entering and exiting the bus. Smaller children may need additional assistance when entering and exiting. Employee Parking Lot Because our services begin in the early morning hours employees should take extra caution when entering and leaving the parking lot. Always drive according to the speed limit posted. Yield to pedestrians. Look both ways before driving or walking into traffic Employee Injuries Any employee who is injured in any way while performing his or her job duties must report that injury immediately to their immediate supervisor. When reporting the injury, required forms will be completed and the employee will determine the need to seek medical attention. In some instances, due to heavy injury, a supervisor may require the injured employee to seek medical attention. Failure to report injuries immediately may result in a delay or loss of worker’s compensation benefits. For a full explanation of worker’s compensation policies, consult the district’s Employee Handbook. Employees are expected to take any and all necessary and reasonable precautions in order to safely perform job duties. Procedures Forms Upon reporting an injury the following forms are to be completed and faxed to the respective departments: Accidents and injuries Page 28 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Employee First Report of Injury (faxed to 7119, Payroll; original retained on file) Accident Investigation Report (faxed to 7106, Human Resources; original retained on file) Transportation Incident Report (retained on file) Care An immediate assessment will be made by the supervisor in conjunction with the employee to determine if an employee requires medical assistance. No employee will be denied the right to seek medical assistance. The following decision tree provides a basic path for decision making. Injury Is the injury serious? Is First Aid required? No Yes Is the injury life threatening? Yes No Employee can be released on their own recognizance. Yes No No Protect the employee from further injury. Call 911. Administer First Aid as needed. Can the employee be moved? Administer First Aid Yes No Is further medical assistance required? Yes Transport employee to nearest or quickest medical facility. Student Injuries Should a student become injured while under an employee’s charge (i.e. during the bus route), the following actions should be taken: Assess the student’s injuries and apply First Aid if needed. Notify dispatch that an injury has occurred. (Do not use student’s names. Only indicate that a child required aid.) If a student has minor injuries, proceed on route after assisting the student. o If the incident occurs on the a.m. run: Notify transportation base and request to have a nurse or staff member meet the bus upon arrival. If instructed by transportation base, proceed immediately to the nearest medical emergency facilitator (such as school nurse, fire station paramedic, etc.) If directed to a campus, or upon arrival, if no one is able to meet the bus, escort the student to the front office. Immediately upon returning to base complete a Transportation Incident Report. Accidents and injuries 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 29 o If the incident occurs while on a school campus: Notify base immediately and request a nurse, or staff, to your bus. Never leave students unattended. If a staff member is nearby, call them to your bus to assist and notify base there will be a delay. Should a student need to be removed from the bus for medical reasons, take note of the student’s name and who they are released to. Immediately upon returning to base complete a Transportation Incident Report and include the name of the staff member receiving the student. o If the incident occurs on the p.m. run: Notify base immediately if the situation warrants more care than can be provided while on route. Follow directives given by staff. Ensure that the student requires no further assistance. If a student is able to be released on their own cognizance, notify the parents if they are present at the stop. Do not assume a parent is present at home to provide further assistance. Immediately upon returning to base complete a Transportation Incident Report. If a student has a severe injury immediately contact 911. If no cell phone is available, inform the office that emergency assistance is required, and provide an accurate location. Vehicular Accident Collision Procedures Although our aim is safety when transporting students, vehicular accidents remain possible. Knowing what to do in the event of an emergency – before, during, and after an evacuation – can mean the difference between life and death. In the event of a collision, the first priority is the safety of your passengers. Should you become involved in an accident the following steps should be followed: 1. 2. Secure the bus in a safe location if possible. Determine the need to evacuate to bus. In most cases student safety and control is best maintained by keeping the students on the bus during an emergency or impending crisis situation if doing so does not expose them to unnecessary risk of injury. It is mandatory to evacuate if the following conditions are present: o The bus is stalled on or adjacent (within 15 feet of the nearest rail) to a highway-railway crossing. o The position of the bus may change and increase danger (i.e. the bus comes to rest near a body of water or on a cliff where the bus could still move and go into the water or over the cliff). o There is an imminent danger of collision. o There is a need to quickly evacuate because of a hazardous materials spill posing an immediate threat to the passengers if you remain on the bus. In this case, evacuate to an area upwind at least 300 feet from the incident. It is recommended to evacuate if the following conditions are present: o The smell of raw or leaking fuel is present. o There is smoke and/or threat of fire. o The bus is positioned in the roadway in such a manner as staying on the bus would pose a greater threat to the passengers’ safety. (i.e. likely chance the bus will be hit) o The bus is in the direct path of a sighted tornado. o Evacuating the students exposes them to speeding traffic, severe weather, or hazardous situations such as a downed power line. 3. 4. 5. 6. Ask any passengers if they are OK. (Use the exact phrase: “Are you OK!”) Reassure any students on board that everything will be OK. Assess student’s injuries if indicated and apply First Aid if needed. Notify dispatch that an accident has occurred. *Do not give students names over the radio! Provide Transportation Base with the following information: Accidents and injuries Page 30 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook o Location of the collision o Presence of any injuries o Whether or not an ambulance is needed (if a call has not already been made) 7. Protect the scene. Set out reflectors as necessary to prevent further collisions. 8. Immediately begin an accident report by gathering the following information: o Student’s names on a seating chart indicating exact location, and grade level. o Name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, and insurance information for the other driver involved. Never admit fault. An accident investigation will determine this. o Make, model, and license number of the other vehicle(s) involved. o Location of the collision, street, intersection, block number, etc. o Time and date of the collision. o Possible factors in the accident such as any unusual street or weather conditions. 9. Remain on the bus! 10. Wait for further instructions from dispatch. Do not leave the scene of an accident until released by the investigating officer. 11. Follow the instructions of the investigating officer. 12. DO NOT RELEASE STUDENT’S! Students must remain on the bus and exit only at their approved stop! The Transportation Department will call the appropriate law enforcement agency to investigate. An ambulance will be dispatched to your location. If necessary, a bus will be dispatched to your location to transport the uninjured children and/or complete your route. The office will contact the schools with students involved. All collisions shall be thoroughly investigated by the Director of Transportation or the Transportation Supervisor and appropriate consequences and preventive measures will be determined. Do not discuss any details of the collision with anyone except for the police and Transportation Department officials in person. Immediately upon your return to the Transportation Department, complete any and all collision documentation. If the collision occurs anytime outside of normal operating hours for the Transportation Department, ensure that the following telephone calls are made: Shop Supervisor, mechanic on duty, Supervisor (phone numbers located in the emergency packet on each bus). Appropriate law enforcement (county sheriff, city police, metro police, etc.) - 911 The fire department and/or ambulance as needed - 911 Post-Accident Drug/Alcohol Screening In accordance with federal law and district policy, the following criteria will be used to determine the need for administering a post-accident drug and alcohol screening: If the employee is found to be at fault for a collision, or the collision could have been avoided. If the employee is involved in a collision resulting in a fatality, regardless of a citation being issued, a postaccident test is required. If the employee is issued a citation in conjunction with the collision: 1. and a person is transported by ambulance from the scene, 2. or a vehicle must be towed from the scene, a post-accident test is required. Accident Reduction Plan In an effort to ensure our operations are as safe as possible, employees will be held accountable for their record of safety. Negligence impacts everyone, and can place lives in jeopardy. It is, therefore, imperative that all employees perform their duties with safety in mind. Safe employees demonstrate their commitment to the values of the district and are appreciated by their coworkers. Accidents and injuries 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 31 To further the importance of safety all Transportation employees will receive safety training during fall orientation, or upon hire, but prior to driving a route for the year. Additional training will be provided throughout the year to ensure employees are refreshed on safe practices. Observation and Reduction Employees are responsible for assisting in the safe operations of the Transportation department by remaining vigilant and observant of their behavior and the behavior of those around them. Just like a defensive driver averts an accident by monitoring the behavior of other motorists and adjusts their driving as necessary, each employee should be mindful of the safe, or unsafe, practices of those around them in order to avoid accidents. Should you observe an unsafe practice inform the person of the correct and safe method of operation. In some cases it may be necessary to inform a supervisor of such behaviors. Should you identify an unsafe work area, notify a supervisor immediately so that it may be corrected as soon as possible. Consequences Our goal is to be collision free. However, there is a need for guidelines establishing consequences when a driver (employed by La Porte ISD) is involved in a collision considered preventable or the driver’s actions are a contributing factor to a collision involving a La Porte ISD vehicle. A collision is defined as any kind of event involving a La Porte ISD vehicle that results in vehicle damage, bodily injury, and/or property damage. Collisions involving a district vehicle are classified into two categories: Non-Preventable: A collision in which the driver was not the cause of the collision and appropriate caution was exercised. No disciplinary action will result from non-preventable collisions, however additional defensive driving training may be recommended. Preventable: A collision in which the driver was at fault, or where appropriate caution was not exercised. A driver need not be issued a citation for a collision to be considered preventable. Disciplinary action will result from preventable collisions. Collisions resulting from any of the following will result in immediate termination, regardless of the damage/injury cost: Driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol Gross negligence Illegal or improper crossing of railroad tracks Serious traffic violation (excessive speeding at least 15 MPH over the limit, erratic/improper lane change, reckless driving, fatal collision, following too closely) Failure to report an accident Accidents and injuries Page 32 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Routes and Route Operations Vehicle Use Restrictions Vehicles owned and operated by La Porte ISD may be operated only by currently licensed, certified, and approved employees of La Porte ISD. School buses are limited by law to serve school children or school employees on school business only. School buses shall not be driven on personal errands and drivers are not permitted to take a school bus home without specific authorization from the Director of Transportation or the Transportation Supervisor. Violations of these vehicle use restrictions may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Keys Ignition keys for all buses must be obtained from the key box before each route and returned to the key box after each route. No keys should be left inside any vehicle at any time. Monitors may not retrieve or return bus keys. Bus Parking Buses must be parked in their assigned space unless a spare bus is being used in place of another. If a spare bus is used for an extended period of time, then the spare bus may be parked in the regular bus’ parking space. Buses are not to be parked in front of the shop at any time except as directed by the Director of Transportation or his designee. Bus Service Doors Bus service doors must remain closed at all times while the bus is moving. This is for the safety of passengers and to protect the vehicle from damage, not to mention “IT’S THE LAW!” Passengers No student may be permitted or required to stand while riding the bus. A driver is not permitted to bring extra passengers (friends/family) with them on a route or field trip. The aisle, stairwell, and emergency exits must be clear of all persons and objects. No passenger may use the emergency exits except for their intended purpose. Buses shall not be fueled with passengers on board. Further information on passengers is provided in the student management section of this handbook. Leaving the Bus Unattended Any time the driver must leave the bus unattended for any reason, he she must remove the key from the ignition, take it with them, and ensure the bus is secured with the parking brake set and the transmission in neutral. Vehicle Cleanliness Routes and Route Operations 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 33 The regular cleaning and housekeeping of the bus is the responsibility of the driver who regularly drives that vehicle. If a driver uses a vehicle that is not their regularly assigned vehicle, he or she is expected to keep the vehicle clean and leave it in the same or better condition as it was found. On buses where a monitor is present, the monitor shares in the cleaning responsibilities. Regular cleaning includes sweeping the floors, cleaning windows, and keeping the instrument panel and dashboard clean. Glass cleaners and floor cleaners are available from the shop. Any other cleaning agents must be approved by the Director of Transportation, the Transportation Supervisor or the Shop Supervisor before use. Drivers are never allowed to use Armor-All or other greasy substances on the floors of a bus! No cleaning supplies may be kept or stored on a bus except a broom, garbage can, and body fluid kit without prior approval from the Transportation Supervisor. Bodily fluid spills (such as vomit, urine, feces, blood, etc.) must be properly cleaned by the driver as soon as possible using the factoryprovided body fluid cleanup kit on his or her bus. If a bus is not equipped with a factory-provided kit, then a suitable substitute may be obtained from the shop. Once the body fluid clean-up supplies have been used, submit a work-order to the shop to have the supplies replaced. Buses may not be sprayed or washed down on the inside by a driver or monitor. Drivers may be permitted at times to do more extensive cleaning to their buses with prior approval from their supervisor. Personal Items/Clutter Drivers are not permitted to keep personal items on their bus which are loose or obstruct vision. If found, such items will be removed. Drivers MUST keep the lower student view window clear AT ALL TIMES. For assistance with securing personal items in your bus, see the Director of Transportation or Shop Supervisor. Route Guidelines Bus routes are established with respect to student safety and efficiency in transportation. In order to maintain this level of safety and efficiency, drivers must observe the following guidelines: Route Directions and Bus Stops Drivers are not authorized to change the way in which a route is driven or alter bus stops. When the driver makes unauthorized changes to his or her route, the driver assumes liability for such changes. If circumstances are observed on a route which could impact student safety or transportation efficiency, they should be reported to Transportation Supervisor using the Route Hazard form. Changes are not to be made unless they have been authorized by Router, approved by the Supervisor and received in writing. Students are to load and unload at their designated bus stops only. Any temporary changes to a student’s pick-up or drop-off location will be communicated to the Transportation Department and, in-turn, notification will be made to the driver. Without information from the transportation department, a student may not ride a different bus or get off the bus at a different stop. As student enrollment fluctuates, the Router has the option to adjust routes in order to even out student loads or route times. Routes and Route Operations Page 34 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Authorized Riders Only those authorized to do so may ride on a La Porte ISD school bus. This includes La Porte ISD students, employees of La Porte ISD serving as a sponsor for a field trip, La Porte ISD administrators, and any other individuals for which express permission has been granted by the Director of Transportation or his designee. When a new student is present at your bus stop, transport the student to school and get the students name and information, then send them to the office for transportation registration. When a new student boards your bus at the school to go home, verify that you have received information from the Transportation Office. If you have not received any notices, radio in that you have a new student and wait for further instructions. Student Overload If an overcrowding situation occurs, notify Transportation Base immediately. Inform the students that a relief bus will arrive shortly to transport them, and that they should remain at the stop. Once Transportation Base indicates the time the relief bus will arrive, inform the students how long the delay will be. Never leave a student at a stop without thoroughly informing them when a bus will arrive. Time Schedule Route time schedules must be followed as closely as possible. Under normal conditions, drivers must not vary more than five minutes from the regularly scheduled time. The driver should, under no circumstances, be early! If necessary, the driver should pull the bus over in a safe location and wait until he or she is back on schedule. If there is a need to adjust your time schedule, see the Router. Always ensure that the gate time and arrival times on your route sheet are correct. Arrival times at campuses will be periodically evaluated and adjusted by the Router. Pre-trip & Post-trip Responsibilities & Procedures Pre-trip The specific guidelines for conducting a pre-trip inspection and three-step air brake test on your bus are included in the exhibits section of this handbook. A thorough pre-trip vehicle inspection will be conducted by the driver prior to every route, extra trip, and any other time that you will be driving a bus off of the transportation department property. If any irregularities affecting the safe operation of the vehicle are discovered during your pre-trip inspection, ask the shop for assistance before driving the vehicle. A three-step air brake test must be done when requested by the Transportation Supervisor or the Shop Supervisor. Drivers are NOT permitted to pre-trip a vehicle for another driver unless specifically authorized by the Director of Transportation or designee. Routes and Route Operations 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 35 Failure to perform a proper pre-trip inspection and three-step air brake test will result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to, letter of reprimand, suspension without pay, and termination. The pre-trip inspection form must be turned in at the completion of your run. Do not “Pre Record” pre-trip inspections for multiple days! When recording mileage on the pre-trip inspection form, DO NOT INCLUDE THE TENTHS! Always write ALL numbers to the left of the decimal in the odometer reading every time it is recorded. Post-trip A thorough post-trip vehicle inspection will be conducted by the driver upon returning to the compound after every route, extra trip, and any other time that the bus has been driven off of the transportation department property. If any irregularities affecting the safe operation of the vehicle are discovered during your post-trip inspection, report them to the shop using the maintenance request form. Child Reminder System New buses are now required to be equipped with a Child Reminder System which requires the driver to walk to the back of the bus at the end of a route. This system is triggered by the activation of the loading lights. Once the lights have been activated at any time while the bus is running, the system is armed. When the bus engine is turned off, the driver has approximately 30 to 45 seconds to walk through the bus and push the silver button to disarm the system. If the system is not disarmed in time, the horn will begin honking and the lights flashing to alert the driver. Disarming the System With the service door closed, engine off, and the key in the ACCESSORY position, you will hear a steady alarm sounding and the dome lights will turn on. Walk through the bus to the rear and push the silver button located at the top right portion of the bulkhead. The alarm will silence and the dome lights will flash to indicate that the system has been reset. The lights will remain on to allow the driver to check for passengers and belongings that are left on the bus. Leaving a student unattended on a bus directly jeopardizes the safety of a student and will result in disciplinary termination of employment. Route Delays and Detours From time to time unexpected delays may occur on your route. These may result from students missing their stop, disruptive students, traffic delays, and inclement weather, but are not limited to these problems. Should your route be unnecessarily delayed use the following as a basis for action: When a Student Has Missed Their Bus En Route to School It is the responsibility of the student to arrive at the bus stop five (5) minutes before the arrival time of the bus. In the event that a student has missed their bus, the bus will not return for the student unless directed to do so by the Transportation Department office. If a parent is chasing the bus down in their car, flashing their lights, and honking their horn, proceed to the next bus stop at which the student may board the bus. Do not make extra stops to pick up students that have missed their own stop. Routes and Route Operations Page 36 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook En Route Home Students are responsible for knowing where they are to get on and off of the bus. It is also the driver’s responsibility to ensure that students get off of the bus at their designated stop only. In the event that a student has missed their bus stop, return the student to their stop at the end of the run, or when it is least likely to add additional delays to the route. Notify base of the occurrence. Disruptive Students From time to time a driver may need to deal with disruptive students. Should you need to deal with a disruptive student (including student fights): Find a safe spot to pull the bus over. Never try to deal with a disruptive student while driving. Call into base to inform them that you are pulling over to deal with a disruptive student. Do not identify a disruptive student by name over the radio! Manage the situation according to the guidelines for student management located within this handbook, as well as those learned through new hire and in-service training. Never put a child off the bus at any location other than their designated stop except: o when releasing them to an emergency services authority (police, fire, ambulance), or o when releasing them to an authorized district representative Do not return to the school for disruptive behavior unless instructed by transportation base to do so. Notify base as soon as you are able to return to regular route operations. When dealing with disruptive students always remember that your focus is to manage the situation as quickly as possible in order to reduce route delays. Traffic Delays Should you find yourself delayed due to traffic congestion, an accident blocking the road, or an obstacle in the way notify base immediately. Identify for base personnel: The presence of a delay including its cause. The estimated length of your delay. The need to reroute. By providing this information base is able to respond to inquiries regarding transportation delays, as well as assisting with routes where the delay may be excessive. Inclement Weather Bus drivers are expected to be able to perform their responsibilities under a variety of weather conditions. Sometimes, however, these conditions can cause delays for safe drivers. When faced with adverse weather: Remain calm. Nervous drivers make for nervous passengers. Nervous passengers make for nervous parents. Always drive with safety in mind. Never try to exceed your ability to drive under the given conditions. Keep in mind that posted speed limits are for ideal conditions only. When the pavement is wet, icy, or snowy, lower your speed; especially when retaining control for stopping and turning. Notify base if you are delayed in your route. Do not hesitate to notify base of delays. Always give students an extra moment as needed to ensure safety. During inclement weather, the driver is given reasonable latitude to exercise good judgment in making additional stops in order to let students off closer to their homes without deviating from the normal route path. Never let a student off the bus at an unsafe location; even if it is their regularly assigned stop. Should you need to reroute, notify base first and follow the instructions given. If you find yourself stuck, notify base immediately and wait for assistance. Routes and Route Operations 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 37 High Water When faced with high water, do not proceed if you cannot see the center line or edges of the roadway, or if you are in a situation where you have water entering through the door of the bus. If such conditions exist, the water is too high and you should find an alternate route and notify the Transportation Department for assistance. Never go around or drive past barricades where high water is present! See also Emergency Notification Plan below. Detours and Road Hazards Bus drivers are the eyes of the district. When you see road hazards or detours on your route, report these to your Lead Driver immediately upon your return to the transportation center. Mechanical Breakdown Procedure In the event that you have an in-transit breakdown, move your bus off of the roadway, if possible, to prevent a collision. Call “T-1” and advise them that you have a mechanical failure. Activate your 4-way emergency flashers, set the parking brake, and turn off your engine (if the shop instructs you to do so). At this time, set out emergency triangle reflectors in the appropriate locations. In the event that an engine over-heats, the driver should stop the bus immediately & turn off the bus. DO NOT pour water in the radiator of an overheated engine. In most cases, students should remain on the bus in the event of a mechanical failure. Only when the students’ safety is in jeopardy should they be evacuated from the bus. If a relief bus is sent to transport the students, it will park as closely to the disabled bus as possible. Both buses will activate the red student loading lights, and students will board the relief bus. Fueling Procedures No bus may be driven with less than ¼ tank of fuel, and should not leave the lot with less than ½ tank of fuel. (½ tank for gas buses) When you park your bus after your morning route, look at your fuel gauge WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. If the fuel level is ½ tank or less, you need fuel. If you are out of town on a field trip and must fuel away from the district, remember that it is illegal to fuel a school bus with passengers on board! Be certain to get a receipt for the fuel charge and write the bus number and odometer reading on the receipt. PUT THE CORRECT FUEL IN THE BUS!!! Radio Communications 2-Way UHF Radios All La Porte ISD school buses are equipped with 2-way VHF-band radios to provide for ESSENTIAL communication between buses and the office. The control of all radio operations is maintained through the La Porte ISD Transportation Department base station and is licensed through the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Routes and Route Operations Page 38 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook FCC Regulations In order to maintain our licensing through the FCC, all operators are required to comply with the following regulations: 1. Always monitor prior to transmitting. Failure to do so may block other transmissions. 2. Keep your messages brief. Plan what you are going to say before you transmit a message. 3. Never use the radio for personal messages. 4. The use of jargon (CB language) and profanity is prohibited. 5. Speak clearly and in a normal conversational tone. Shouting only reduces the clarity of your messages. 6. Take the mike out of the bracket and hold to mouth. 7. Press the transmit button to talk. Take a breath then begin to speak with the microphone 2 to 4 inches away from your mouth. Release the transmit button when finished speaking. 8. Signal the end of your conversation by saying “clear” before hanging up the microphone. Driving Operations Idle Time To help prolong the life of the vehicles, prevent excessive emissions, and save fuel, buses may not idle more than five (5) minutes except with explicit authorization from the Director of Transportation or his designee. When parked at a campus to load or unload students, turn the engine off. The exception to this rule is when buses are in a “load and go” situation and it is not feasible to continually stop and start the engine. Excessive idling will result in disciplinary action. Did you know that idling for 30 minutes a day costs the district more than $20,000 in fuel waste? Traffic Rules on La Porte ISD Property Extreme caution must be exercised while driving on La Porte ISD property (Transportation and campuses) due to the number of pedestrians present. Speed Limits The maximum speed limit on all La Porte ISD property is 10 mph. If your bus shifts to second gear, you are going too fast! SPEED LIMIT 10 Passing The only time one bus may pass another bus in a bus loading zone is when a bus is parked with the 4-way flashers activated. Never pass another bus that is loading or unloading students! Routes and Route Operations 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 39 Lane Selection and Use A school bus is a slow moving vehicle by the nature of its use, and therefore should be driven in the farthest right-hand lane whenever possible. It is permissible for a bus to drive in the left hand lane (of a multiple lane roadway) when that bus is preparing to turn left. “Weaving” in and out of traffic lanes is not considered a safe driving practice and will not be permitted. Changing lanes is prohibited within 100 feet of any intersection. Toll-Road Driving To assist with route and field trip operations all buses are equipped with an E-Z Tag. When driving on the Hardy Toll Road or Sam Houston Tollway, observe the same rules as freeway driving. At toll booths, use the far right hand lane designated for buses, trucks, and trailers when required. When using an E-Z Tag, maintain your lane placement and proceed through the E-Z Tag lane at a normal rate of speed. If you see the red light come on, notify transportation immediately upon your return so that the tag malfunction can be investigated. If you see the yellow light that says “Call EZ Tag”, don’t worry…your tag is working. Just relay this message to the Director of Transportation upon your return to the Transportation Department. When using the E-Z Tag at an exit or entrance lane with a traffic control arm, approach the lane slowly and prepare to stop. When the booth reads the tag, the arm will raise and you may proceed cautiously. Hazardous Considerations1 No student shall cross a major arterial unless assisted by a crossing guard. No student shall traverse (walk along the side of) a major arterial unless provided an uninhibited pathway, such as a paved sidewalk Elementary students shall not cross a nonresidential roadway where traffic travels at or in excess of 30 mph, nor cross such roadway without the direct assistance of a crossing guard. Middle School and High School Students shall not cross a nonresidential roadway where traffic travels at or in excess of 30 mph nor cross such roadway: without the direct assistance of a crossing guard, or the availability of a traffic control device, or the intersection of said roadway has been marked for common pedestrian crossing and traffic is controlled for crossing. 1 Texas Education Code § 42.155. TRANSPORTATION ALLOTMENT. (d) . . . A hazardous condition exists where no walkway is provided and children must walk along or cross a freeway or expressway, an underpass, an overpass or a bridge, an uncontrolled major traffic artery, an industrial or commercial area, or another comparable condition. Routes and Route Operations Page 40 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Emergency Notification Plan When severe weather occurs causing hazardous driving conditions, or when such weather or other emergency situation exists which may delay or prohibit the opening of school, parents and students are advised to listen to radio and television stations for current news reports. In the event that school will be delayed or closed, the Transportation Department will receive notification from the Deputy Superintendent for Administration and will then implement the emergency call program for all transportation department employees. The decision to close the schools or to change the starting or ending time is based upon several factors. The main factors are: The health, safety, and welfare of the students. The transportation of the students to and from school. Disruption is caused in the home when school starts late, dismisses early, or is closed. This is important since both parents work in most homes. Once the decision to close or delay school has been made, the local television and radio stations will be notified. Please monitor the following news sources: Radio Stations: KILT KKBQ Sunny 99 KRBE KPRC 610 AM / 100.3 FM 92.9 FM 99.1 FM 104.1 FM 950 AM Television Stations: KPRC-TV KHOU-TV KTRK-TV KRIV-TV KHCB-TV Channel 2 Channel 11 Channel 13 Channel 26 Channel 39 Web-Sites: www.La Porteisd.com www.schoolclosings.net Routes and Route Operations La Porte Independent School District School Closings.net 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 41 Summer School Routes During the month of May, a sign-up sheet will be posted for drivers and monitors who are interested in working during Summer School. These assignments will be awarded to those interested in the same manner as extra duty assignments are awarded. The performance points for the current school year will be used as a standard. A driver or monitor who is absent from his or her Summer School assignment for more than two (2) days will be removed from that assignment. All absences from Summer School assignments will result in loss of pay. There is no paid leave during the summer. Routes and Route Operations Page 42 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Field Trips Overview Field Trip Guidelines Field trips will be offered and assigned only to those drivers that have signed up to be a field trip driver. Field trips will be assigned in a manner as to equally distribute potential field trip hours among the field trip drivers over the course of the school year. A driver who is added to the field trip driver list after the beginning of the school year will have their balance of field trip hours manually adjusted (based upon the average accumulated hours of drivers on the trip list) so they are in line with the other drivers who have been driving field trips since the beginning of the school year. Scheduling/Notification When a field trip opportunity is available, the driver will receive a trip notification slip from the office. The trip # will be included on the slip and the driver must report to the office to inquire about the trip. The driver must check “accept” or “decline”, sign the slip, and submit it to the office by the “Date and/or time on the trip notice” so that the trip can be scheduled. If any driver has not followed through by the date noted, the trip will be reassigned to another person and the trip hours counted against you. Drivers who decline three trips will be placed on probationary status with regard to field trips. Drivers who refuse four trips will be removed from the field trip rotation until otherwise determined by the Transportation Supervisor. If for any reason you are unable to take a trip that you accepted, you must let the Trip Clerk know immediately so the trip can be reassigned. After three times of accepting a trip, then giving it back, the driver will be removed from the trip selection list for the remainder of the school year. Refusing an Opportunity Although field trips may be refused, the hours posted for the trip will still be tabulated towards a driver’s total annual field trip hours. Eligibility Guidelines Newly hired drivers are eligible for in town field trips on a probationary status. Upon completion of six months service this probationary status may be removed at the discretion of the Transportation Supervisor. Drivers who demonstrate a need for further training will remain on probationary status until such time as determined by the Transportation Supervisor. Drivers must sign up to be eligible for field trips. Once signed up a driver will remain on the list until a formal written request has been made to the Trip Clerk and retained on file communicating the desire to be removed from the field trip rotation. A driver who is absent any part of the day immediately before a trip or the day of the trip is ineligible to take that trip. A driver who is absent any part of the day immediately after a trip will be skipped over during the next rotation. Exceptions may be granted for late night trips at the discretion of the Transportation Supervisor. Drivers with a route time of 35 hours or more per week (including mid-day routes and extra assignments) may be limited in the number of field trip opportunities due to overtime constraints. Field Trips 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 43 Field Trip Responsibilities While on a field trip, employees must wear their La Porte ISD uniform. Should a trip require multiple buses, the Trip Clerk will determine the line-up order. The driver of the lead bus on each field trip is responsible for: o Ensuring all drivers are present and ready before heading to school. o Determining the route and notifying all drivers. o Receiving information from the head sponsor on trip. o Determining the appropriate parking location at the event site. o Reporting problems with the group or trip to the Transportation Supervisor upon returning. The driver of a field trip is responsible for obtaining the necessary materials (maps, special instructions, etc.) at least 24-hours prior to the trip departure time. The driver is responsible for determining the best route to the location without relying on the teacher or trip sponsor to direct them. The driver is expected to be at the school or other pick-up point at least 15 minutes prior to the departure time. For many students, the only time spent on a school bus is for a field trip or extra-curricular activities. Consequently, these students are not familiar with the bus rider rules and how to react in the event of an emergency. Drivers are required to give a brief set of emergency evacuation instructions to the students and sponsors prior to departing for a field trip. The following statement is required for the driver to announce prior to departing the campus for a field trip or athletic trip. Good morning/afternoon. I am your driver, Mr./Ms. [state your name.] Before we begin our trip, we need to be certain that everyone understands their part in making this a safe trip. While the bus is moving, all passengers are to remain seated and facing the front. You may talk with others seated around you at a reasonable level. Eating and drinking are not permitted on the bus due to the dangers of choking. Once we reach our destination, look around the area where you are sitting to pick up any trash and to be certain that you have not left any belongings on the bus. Before we cross the railroad tracks, I will signal for all passengers to be silent so that I may listen to be sure there are no approaching trains. In the event of an emergency, we may be required to evacuate the bus. If we need to evacuate, remain seated until I come to your seat and instruct you to exit the bus. We may be required to evacuate through the front door, rear door, or both. If we are required to evacuate, two people seated near each exit may be needed to assist others off of the bus. If you do not know how to operate the emergency exit or are not comfortable helping others, let me know so we can change your seat. Are there any questions before we begin our trip? Thank you for your help! Sit back and enjoy the ride. Upon returning to the school to deliver the students, check the bus for left articles and ensure the group retrieves them prior to leaving. Field Trips Page 44 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Ensure that the correct mileage and times are recorded on your field trip ticket. Failure to complete the form correctly may result in a delay or loss of payment for a trip; as well as a loss of field trip privileges. While on a field trip, it is the responsibility of the teacher and/or sponsor on the trip to manage the students. If behavioral issues are not taken care of by the teacher or sponsor, then the driver should bring the behavior to the attention of the teacher or sponsor. If behavioral concerns are not appropriately handled by the teacher or sponsor, then report this information to the Transportation Department upon your return. Drivers are not required to be a chaperone/sponsor for any field trip. Bus drivers must remain with the bus. There are times when trips require a driver to shuttle a sponsor and group to various destinations. Any use of the bus by the driver while on the field trip outside of the needs of the school group must be approved in advance by the Transportation Supervisor. (Example: Dropping off the group and leaving to shop or eat lunch.) Bus drivers are not expected to remain on the bus to “guard” belongings. The sponsor is responsible for the security of the belongings. A teacher or sponsor (employed by La Porte ISD) must be present on the bus before the trip departs. Children who are not enrolled in a La Porte ISD school are not permitted to accompany a teacher/sponsor on the field trip. Compensation Field trips are paid at $12.26 per hour from the time you clock-in until you clock-out after you return (less route time and sleeping time.) Drivers are required to enter the school of origin for the field trip and clock out for route hours and clock in for their field trip. Failure to follow this directive may result in the loss of field trip privileges for the remainder of the year. In the event that a field trip causes the driver to go into overtime for the week, any hours in excess of 40 hours worked for the week will be paid at time and a half. Drivers are paid a minimum of 2 hours for a field trip. When departing from the transportation center, drivers will be permitted 15 minutes to complete the pre-trip inspection. Upon returning to the transportation center, drivers will be permitted 15 minutes to complete the post-trip inspection and cleaning. If a trip is cancelled after a driver shows up at the pick-up location, the driver will be paid the minimum trip pay. In order to be paid for a cancelled trip, the driver must remain at the pick-up location thirty-minutes past the scheduled departure time unless notified sooner that the trip is cancelled. If a field trip coincides with your route time you will not be paid for both. You will only receive the normal pay for your route plus the trip hours worked outside of your normal route time. The driver will be notified by the Transportation Supervisor or the Trip Clerk if the regular route will be subbed-out for the driver or if the driver is required to complete the regular route prior to the field trip. If the route will be subbed-out, the driver is still required to report for duty no later than the normal time to report for their route in case there is a time change or trip cancellation. Special Instructions Out of Town and Overnight Trips Overnight trips will be paid from the time the driver leaves the transportation center, or school of origin upon completion of route, to the time he or she returns to the transportation center, less route hours and sleeping hours. When assigning out of town and overnight trips, consideration will be given to the student group going on the trip as well as the nature of the trip. Commercial Vehicle Weigh Stations Anytime that a school bus passes a commercial vehicle weigh station that is in operation with a sign indicating “ALL TRUCKS AND BUSES MUST EXIT”, the driver is required to enter the weigh station and wait in line with the other commercial vehicles, regardless of whether students are or are not on the bus. Field Trips 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 45 Caravan Driving Any time that buses operate in a caravan or convoy fashion, the drivers should maintain sufficient space between buses to allow other vehicles to enter and occupy that space safely. Field Trips Page 46 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Student Management Expectations The role of the school bus driver and aide is not simply to drive the bus and keep order! Positive interaction is essential to developing a rapport and level of respect with the students that you transport. Remember that you are the first and last member of the educational team that the student sees each day and that comes with enormous power and responsibility. In many cases, you may be the first adult that a child sees each day due to the parents or guardians having already left for work when the child wakes up. The bus ride to school sets the stage for how the student’s day will be and how successful they may be in their learning. Greet your Students Regardless of personal feelings about a student, the driver and aide should greet the students by name as they board the bus. This may take some time to learn each student by name, but it is essential to developing a mutual respect with the students. This positive interaction and mutual respect will make the student much more willing to abide by the bus safety rules and comply with verbal instructions. Control and Authority The Director of Transportation or designee, along with the Assistant Principals at each campus are responsible for supervision, direction, and control of all matters relating to the transportation of students for the respective schools. Assistant Principals have the same authority and control over students transported by the school bus as that which is given the Assistant Principal in the control of students on the school grounds and in the classrooms. The Transportation Department and Assistant Principals are responsible for enforcing all rules and regulations approved by the Board of Trustees pertaining to bus transportation. School Bus Safety Rules Explain the rules the first day the students are on the bus. We cannot expect children to obey rules if they have not been explained. You will find students more receptive if you explain WHY rules are necessary and important rather than telling them “just because.” Do not make your own rules of conduct. Always obey the rules that apply to you as the driver and set an example. Children are quick to spot a double standard. These rules include traffic laws as well as appropriate school policies. The following are the bus safety rules that students are expected to follow: Meeting the Bus Students must be on time and visible at the bus stop. It is recommended that students be at their bus stop five (5) minutes before pick-up time. If a student is late, report this on a conduct report. Students must not stand on the traveled portion of the roadway while waiting for the bus. Student must not approach a moving bus until it stops. Once the bus has stopped, the student may walk toward the bus to board once the driver signals to the students. Students must enter the bus carefully and in an orderly manner as instructed. Once on the bus, students must go directly to their seat and be seated properly so the bus may continue the route. Student Management 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 47 Bus Safety Rules Observe the same conduct level as is expected in the classroom. Profanity and obscene gestures are not allowed. Do not eat or drink on the bus except for water in a closed plastic bottle. Do not litter or damage the bus in any way. The driver is authorized to assign seats. All items prohibited at school are also prohibited on the bus. Remain seated while the bus is moving with all body parts inside the windows. Fighting, horseplay, and throwing objects are prohibited. No live/dead animals or flammable materials are allowed. Large, bulky items that cannot fit under the seat or in the lap of the student are not allowed on the bus. Arrangements must be made for the parent to transport these items. This includes large band instruments and school projects. No skateboards, balls, roller blades, or balloons may be brought on the bus. Departing the Bus When getting off of the bus, students should move quickly but safely away from the unloading area. The emergency door at the rear of the bus is to be used in emergency situations only. It is not to be used for boarding or departing the bus. Students are allowed to board and depart the bus at designated bus stops ONLY! Documentation With the large number of students that we transport daily, it is easy for details of incidents to “slip our mind” and get lost when the need arises to recall them. Documentation Log To aide in the recall of details, each driver/monitor team is provided a notebook to use as a documentation log. Use the log to document student behavior (instances when you have had to verbally warn a student about their behavior), seating reassignments, incidents that seem out of the ordinary or anything else that may be pertinent at a later date. This documentation is not just for you, but also for everyone who is responsible for ensuring safe transportation, so write notes in your log where somebody else can understand them without explanation. Driver Actions By and large, the vast majority of our students will act within the established rules. There are, of course, some who will misbehave and require some type of response or action from you. This is the point where you should have already considered those reasonable expectations we can anticipate from students and deal with the incident accordingly. In many cases, a verbal reprimand or warning will suffice. Keep in mind that it is not always advantageous to acknowledge all rule infractions. If you pull out the “big guns” for the small things, then you leave yourself little direction to go for more serious incidents. Be aware that students with special needs are required by Federal law to be served in the least restrictive environment. This may mean that a student with special needs may be assigned to ride a regular route bus. When this happens, it may be necessary to use some modified disciplinary techniques with the student. Generally speaking, if a student with special needs is being served on a regular route bus, then that student is held to the same bus rider safety rules as all other students on that bus. Communicate Expectations Student Management Page 48 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Students cannot be expected to correct their behavior if they are not made aware of what is expected. This should be the first step for the driver and aide! Let the student know what they are expected to do and give them an opportunity to do it. Simply looking up in the passenger mirror and stating “okay…that’s a write-up!” is not sufficient or effective in correcting the student’s actions. Remember that the driver and aide are the most powerful part of the transportation team. Discipline issues need to be handled on the bus using authority and mutual respect whenever possible. With the younger students, you may be required to repeat directions and expectations several times since their attention span is shorter. Assigning Seats The driver and monitor are required to assign seats. This proves to be a very useful tool in separating groups of students who may be causing problems or negatively influencing the behavior of other students. When reassigning seats for disciplinary reasons, move the student closer to the front of the bus where the behavior may be more closely monitored. If necessary, make sure the student is placed in a seat where the camera will be certain to record the behavior (the 3rd or 4th seat from the front on each side of the bus). Each driver MUST submit a current seating chart to the Router to be kept with the official route file. If a seating reassignment is necessary for disciplinary action, document the date that the student’s seat assignment was changed. Bus Safety Referral The continuing misbehavior or misconduct by a student may require further action such as a notification to the Transportation Supervisor. The safety report will be submitted and the Transportation Supervisor will review the incident and forward it to the students’ campus. The discipline/corrective action may range from a verbal warning to suspension from the bus for a set length of time. The action taken will be commensurate with the safety infraction and student’s history. Bus Safety Reports must be submitted the day of the incident. Every bus referral must include a written description of the incident. Simply placing check marks in the boxes is not sufficient! Remember that bus referrals are NOT the first action that should be taken! Prior action should include: 1. 2. 3. Discuss behavioral / safety infraction with student (state expectations and consequences) Seating re-assignment Final Warning Confiscated Items An item that a driver confiscates from a student because the item is prohibited on the bus (i.e. CD players, electronics, laser pointers, etc.) is to be returned to the student (with the exception of drugs, weapons, tobacco or any illegal contraband) when they get off the bus or brought to the Transportation Department office and given to you’re the Dispatcher labeled with the student’s name, bus number, and date. Drivers may not confiscate items and hold them past the end of the day. Any item that is confiscated and then lost or stolen becomes the responsibility of the driver to pay for or replace such item. Student Management 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 49 Campus Action When a student’s behavior poses a threat to the safety of themselves and the other students on the bus, the following disciplinary action steps will result: 1st Report Student will be given a warning by their Principal 2nd Report Student will be given a warning by their Principal 3rd Report Student may be removed from transportation for up to three (3) days. 4th Report Student will be removed from transportation for ten (10) days. 5th Report Student will be removed from transportation for a length of time up to the remainder of the semester. 6th Report Student may be removed from transportation for the remainder of the school year. Severe Clause If a bus safety incident is deemed severe enough, the progressive discipline steps may be by-passed and the student may be removed from transportation for a length of time as deemed appropriate by the school administrator. AEP / DAEP Students Students assigned to an Alternative Education Program (AEP) or a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) are eligible for specific transportation services. Pre-K Students Pre-K students will only be released from the bus if a parent/guardian or other designated person is present at the bus stop to receive the child. If no approved person is present, the child will be returned to the campus for the parent to pick-up. Once a student has been returned to the campus twice, the process to suspend bus riding privileges will begin. If there is a Pre-K student on your route roster with no approved person on the list to receive the student, see Router for assistance. DO NOT release a student when no approved person is listed simply because somebody is at the stop claiming to be a parent, guardian, grandparent, or other authorized person. Activity / Tutorial Routes Bus routes are provided for students involved in approved after-school activities and tutorial programs. These routes are designed to have very few stops and cover a larger area of the district. Students may be required to walk further from the stop to their home when riding an activity route. Students are required to show their ID badge to the driver before boarding the bus. (If a student has a temporary ID, they must give it to the driver.) Without a permanent or temporary ID, a student will not be permitted to ride. Students must be on the drivers list in order to be permitted on the bus. Violation of bus safety rules on a tutorial route will result in removal from the activity route for 4 weeks and will also count as a violation on the regular route bus. Student Management Page 50 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Key Points to Remember About Student Management Hands off! Never hit, spank, or grab a student. Never put (or let) a child off the bus except at the proper destination (bus stop). Drivers do not have the authority to deny riding privileges. Keep in mind that your purpose in correcting a student is simply to change undesirable behavior. The least corrective action that can be used, the better. Always focus on correcting future actions rather than punishing for past actions. Never give an order you do not intend to (or cannot) enforce. Never use a student as an example to the others. Don’t discipline a student in front of his or her peers when possible. Have a reason for what you ask a child to do, and take time when possible to explain the reason to the student. Be honest in what you say and do. A child’s faith in you is a great help. Be fair and consistent with discipline. Don’t discipline a student for something and then permit other students to do the same thing. Don’t enforce a rule today and then not tomorrow. This confuses the students about the rules and expectations. Be friendly, but not familiar. Show interest in the students and their activities, but don’t be a buddy. Remember that a sense of humor is extremely valuable. Do not take personal feelings or prejudices out on the students. Maintain poise and control at all times. Don’t lose your temper. Look for the good in everyone – all children have good points. Don’t pick on every little thing that the students do. Sometimes it pays not to hear and see certain things. Be sincere in your work. Any student carrying any type of weapon on the bus must be reported. Jokes or idle remarks about suicide, homicide, assault, drugs, terrorist threats, or the like must be treated as serious statements. These must be reported immediately. Follow-up with all students who have been disciplined. Ensure that you have maintained the confidence and respect of the child. “Remember to forget.” Start each day with a clean slate and allow the child to have a fresh start each day. Verbally harassing students individually or as a group is counter-productive to any situation and will not be tolerated. NEVER use a student as a monitor or disciplinarian on your bus! Video and Audio Recording Equipment in Use Every La Porte ISD school bus is equipped with devices to record audio and video. This equipment is active anytime the vehicle is turned on. This equipment is extremely helpful in deterring student misconduct and mischief as well as identifying students who are misbehaving. At any time, the driver may ask to have their video reviewed. The driver may then come by the office and ask to see their video. If a driver requests to have their video pulled, the driver MUST come by to view it! If the video is pulled and not reviewed, it may not be available later if needed for supporting evidence in disciplinary action. Video recordings are confidential student records and can not be taken off of the property of the Transportation Department. Tampering with or damaging the camera or recording equipment will result in disciplinary action. Child Abuse Reporting Procedures Every adult has the responsibility of reporting known or suspected cases of child abuse. If you are the first person to become aware of such abuse, you are responsible for calling Children’s Protective Services at 1 (800) 252-5400 or by reporting online at https://www.txabusehotline.org/Default.aspx within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident. Please notify your Supervisor immediately if you suspect abuse and will be making a report. This way, the campus Principal can also be alerted. State Law specifies that an employee may not delegate to or rely on another person to make the report. If you are nervous or worried, you may ask your Supervisor to be present with you when you make the phone call. Student Management 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 51 Transfer of Medication Drivers are not permitted to transport medication for a student from home-to-school or school-to-home. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) What is it? The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students." What does it mean? Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies. Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information. Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31): o o o o o o o o o School officials with legitimate educational interest; Other schools to which a student is transferring; Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes; Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student; Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school; Accrediting organizations; To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law. Confidentiality Drivers and monitors are provided various information regarding the students who ride our buses. This information is considered to be an “educational record” and is protected by federal law. Transportation Department employees are expected to maintain confidentiality with regard to the students that are transported by La Porte ISD. Discussing students’ behavior, address, handicapping conditions, or any other information with anyone except for the parent, Director of Transportation, or other La Porte ISD administrators is considered a breech of confidentiality and may result in termination of employment. This also includes discussion about students with other drivers. Student Management Page 52 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Special Needs Legal Requirements The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) aims to ensure that all children receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) and special services to assist in meeting their educational needs. Under Part B of IDEA, each state and its public agencies must ensure that a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) is made available to all students with specified disabilities in mandated age ranges, and that the rights and protections of Part B are extended to eligible students and their parents. FAPE includes, among other elements, the provision of special education and related services provided at no cost to parents, in conformity with an individualized education program (IEP). The IEP is the major mechanism for ensuring a child receives FAPE. Transportation as a related service is provided to all qualifying students based upon their individual special needs. The decision to place a student on a special needs bus is made jointly by the campus and the parent in an Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) meeting. Students are to be placed in the least restrictive environment in accordance with federal law. Sometimes, the needs of the student may be met on the regular education bus with slight modifications, while other students require a more restrictive and more closely monitored environment afforded by the special needs bus. Team Responsibilities The special needs driver and aide are expected to work as a team, sharing in the responsibilities of the safe transportation of students with special needs. Some tasks, due to their nature, are more the responsibility of one team member over another. Driver Responsibilities Any changes that are necessary in the assigned route that is given to you must be discussed with the Transportation Supervisor or the Router before implementing the changes. Ensure that all information sheets are current at all times. The monitor and driver work together to secure the wheelchairs, but the driver makes the final check to verify that the wheelchair is secure. The driver and monitor share the responsibility of ensuring that each student is provided service in accordance with the Special Needs Transportation Request as determined by the ARD meeting. This includes restraints, ride length, leaving the child unattended, ensuring that the student is delivered to the proper location and to the proper person, physical contact, etc. The driver is responsible for completing the Medicaid attendance report and submitting to the Dispatcher for that route on the last day of each month. The driver MUST sign this form, not the monitor! Monitor Responsibilities Be available to assist students on and off of the bus as each student requires. (When a student boards the bus, you are to be outside the door waiting to assist them onto the bus. When the student is ready to exit the bus, you are to exit the bus first and assist the student off the bus.) Ensure that students are seated properly with all restraints required for each student. If the students fastened their own seatbelt, check to ensure that the seatbelt is properly fastened and tightened. Monitor and driver are both responsible for maintaining the discipline on the bus. When disciplining students, keep in mind the special needs of the students and whether the behavior is a result of the students’ handicapping conditions. (Remember…not all students with special needs can control their behavior.) Monitors are to sit on the bus in such a manner as to observe and be accessible to all students. Sitting at the front of the bus is not an appropriate place when students are on the bus. Special Needs 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 53 If it is unknown whether a student will ride the bus or not, the monitor should check with the office, prior to leaving transportation, to verify this information. (Example: A student did not ride to school in the morning, therefore the monitor should stop by the office before the afternoon route to determine if the child came to school some other way during the day.) If a student has not come out to the bus at the school in the afternoon, it is the responsibility of the monitor to go into the school to determine whether or not the student is at school. If a student is injured, it is the monitor’s responsibility to complete the injury report. The driver and monitor work together to secure the wheelchairs, but the driver makes the final check to verify that the wheelchair is secure. The monitor is responsible for ensuring that seatbelts and wheelchair tie-downs are in good working order and are neatly arranged and straightened when not in use. The driver and monitor share the responsibility of ensuring that each student is provided service in accordance with the Special Needs Transportation Request as determined by the ARD meeting. This includes restraints, ride length, leaving the child unattended, ensuring that the student is delivered to the proper location and to the proper person, physical contact, etc. Monitors are responsible for reporting to the bus with the driver and assisting with the pre-trip/post-trip inspection. Special Needs Route Services Route services for students with special needs are very specialized by their nature. There are no centralized bus stops and there are fewer students per bus. Below are some of the inherent considerations and guidelines to use with respect to special needs route services. Curb-to-Curb Special needs students are provided curb-to-curb service; which means that students will be picked up at the closest reasonable point to their residence (or designated pick-up location). Due to the design of some neighborhoods and other safety factors, however, it may not be possible in ALL locations to pick students up directly in front of their homes. Should a pick-up location present a challenge or if a hazard is present, notify your Route Coordinator as soon as possible. Entering the Home of a Student Bus drivers and monitors are never allowed to enter the home of a student. Should a student be unable or unwilling to enter the bus loading zone, they will be left to the responsibility of the parent or care provider with regard to their transportation needs. Should this situation occur, contact Transportation Base and notify the Transportation Supervisor of the situation, and communicate to the parent or care provider the limitations of service and their need to transport the student. Leaving Students Unattended or with Unauthorized Individuals Unless you are provided documentation from the Transportation Department which authorizes you to do so, you are not permitted to leave a student with special needs unattended at the bus stop. Only those people specifically listed on the student’s special transportation form are authorized to receive the student. If no appropriate person is present at the stop, the bus will wait three minutes and then continue the route as normal. Be certain to radio the transportation department when you pull away from the student’s stop so we can contact the school. At the nearest available opportunity, or as instructed by Transportation Base, a driver may return the student to their drop-off location and attempt a second try. Time Schedule Just like regular route services, special needs route services must run as close to on time as possible. The route must never be early! Special Needs Page 54 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Students are expected to be at the bus stop ten minutes before the expected arrival time of the bus. If a student is not at the stop and ready when the bus arrives, the driver will wait two minutes for the student and then proceed with the route. Do not honk to alert students that the bus has arrived! Student Absences If a student has not ridden the bus for three consecutive days without notice, the monitor must notify the supervisor or Router so it can be documented. When a student has not ridden for five consecutive days without notice, ask the Router for clearance to discontinue service to that stop. Communication and Interaction Drivers and monitors are encouraged to develop a good rapport with the parents/guardians of the students they transport on a special needs route. While it is not the driver or monitor’s responsibility to relay information between home and school, it is always advisable to keep positive lines of communication open. This includes communicating information between parent and school personnel with regards to student behavior. Such information can support the learning environment. Drivers and monitors are not permitted to transfer medication between home and school! The driver and monitor are not permitted to make special arrangements with the parents/guardians of the students they transport with respect to the pick-up or delivery of their child (such as an alternate drop off location, alternate person to receive the child, agreeing to enter the home, honking or telephoning to announce the arrival of the bus, etc.) Confidentiality Confidentiality is of extreme importance when working with special needs students. Discussing the special needs of students in the presence of other students or parents is an unacceptable breach of confidentiality, and is against the law. Universal Precautions Many times, working with students with special needs will place you at a greater likelihood of exposure to more body fluids. These students may often drool, spit, bite, urinate, and defecate while on the bus. Any body fluid spill must be cleaned up as soon as possible by the Driver and Bus Monitor. Always wear gloves and use the body fluid clean up kit to limit the exposure of other students on the bus. Due to the affectionate nature of many of these students, it is essential to keep your hands as clean as possible to limit the students’ exposure to any harmful germs. Transporting Students with Wheelchairs Extreme caution and care must be observed when loading and unloading students in a wheelchair to ensure the safety of the student. Basic Cautions when Working with Wheelchairs Be certain the handgrips are secure on the handles. Be certain the armrests are locked in place. Always use, but never rely on wheelchair brakes. Don’t rush when pushing a wheelchair. Push at your normal walking speed. Watch out for the footrests…they stick out in front of the seat itself. Special Needs 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 55 Make sure that the student’s arms, legs, hands, and feet are inside the wheelchair and don’t get caught in the wheels or on something as you pass by. When going up or down inclines, always place yourself on the down-hill side of the chair. (Push up the incline and back-down and incline.) If a student is operating their electric wheel chair, be very cautious not to get run over. Damaged / Unsafe Wheelchairs If a student’s wheelchair appears to be damaged or unsafe (brakes not holding, wheels loose, frame insecure, internal harness damaged or missing, etc.), call transportation for assistance and guidance. It may or may not be possible to transport the student safely. Transportation cannot legally be refused for special needs students so long as it is defined in the student’s IEP, however, it can be delayed if required safety measures are not met. Car Seats and Safety Vests Some students require the use of supplemental restraints such as car seats and safety vests according to their Special Transportation Form. If so, a restraint will be provided and installed in the bus. Drivers and monitors will be shown how to adjust and operate the particular restraints that are installed on their bus. Observe the following when using car seats and safety vests: Do not remove the car seats from your bus or change the location of the seats. If you need a seat moved notify the Shop Supervisor. Check the tightness of your car seat during each pre-trip inspection by grabbing it with both hands near the belt path and gently shaking it from left to right. If the car seat moves over an inch at the belt path, notify the Supervisor immediately before using the car seat! Report any changes in the child’s height or weight that may necessitate a change in car seat to the Shop Supervisor immediately. Car seats must be kept clean. Report any excessive soiling to the Shop Supervisor. Safety vest cam-wraps should stay securely tightened around the seatback. When the student boards the bus, place the vest on the student and zip it up before placing the student in the seat and securing to the cam-wrap. If a safety vest is installed in a seat, then the seat immediately behind it must be empty or have a student in it that is also restrained in a safety vest, car seat, or seatbelt. A student cannot be placed in a car seat or safety vest unless specifically authorized to be in one on the special transportation form. Seatbelts A student may require a seat belt according to their abilities. The monitor is responsible for ensuring that students who require seatbelts have them fastened properly before the bus moves. It may be developmentally appropriate for students to fasten the seatbelt themselves, but the monitor should always check afterwards to make sure it is properly fastened and tight. Special Needs Page 56 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Exhibits The following is a list of forms and references included in this exhibit section. Incident Report Discretionary Personal Business Leave Request Absent From Duty Form Employee Time Sheet Pre-Trip Inspection Form Pre-Trip Inspection Procedure Vehicle Work-Order Student Registration Packet Bus Rider Status Change School Bus Safety Referral Seating Chart Route Change Request Form Route Hazard Report Activity Route Report Special Transportation Log Field Trip Driver Application Field Trip Notification Form Field Trip Ticket Job Descriptions Employee Performance Evaluation Texas Department of Public Safety School Bus Driver’s Driving Record Evaluation Guidelines Sample Driving Record Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 57 Incident Report TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT 1002 SAN JACINTO ST LA PORTE, TEXAS 77571 INCIDENT REPORT (281) 604-7177 Employee Filing Report: Is the incident… Date of Report: a vehicle incident? vehicle #(s) involved: a personnel incident? Name(s) of personnel involved: a student incident? (include all names in report below.) In detail, explain the incident being reported. Include all names of personnel, students, and any other individuals involved. Be specific about date(s) and time(s) whenever possible. Signature of person making report Signature of reviewing Supervisor Date Date Incident reports should be completed and submitted to your supervisor immediately after the incident occurs. Revised 7/20/2008 Exhibits Page 58 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Discretionary Personal Business Leave Request La Porte Independent School District Employee Request for Leave Form Employee Name : Date: Campus/Dept: Type of Leave Requested: (Check One ) School Business Vacation/Non-Duty Illness - Immediate Family State Personal Jury/Subpoena Compliance Death - Immediate Family Military Compensatory Time (Paraprofessional and Manual Trades only) Absence Request: (M o nth) (Day) (Year) (M o nth) Beginning Date: (Day) (Year) Return Date: Number of Days Requested: Will a Substitute be needed? Yes No Complete the following where applicable: 1. School Business: (Attach copy of Professional Meeting Attendance Request Form) Destination and purpose of absence: 2. State Personal: Type of Leave: Non-Discretionary If Non-Discretionary, check one: Personal Illness Family Emergency Discretionary Family Illness Death in Immediate Family 3. Jury/Subpoena Duty: If Jury Duty, specify court: If compliance of a subpoena, specify nature: 4. Illness - Immediate Family - Relation of family member 5. Death - Immediate Family - Relation of family member Employee Request for Leave: Approved Denied Signature of Principal/Supervisor Date Signature of Employee Date Employee - Please read before completing request: • This request shall be submitted to the Principal/Supervisor or Designee fro approval in advance of the anticipated absence. Discretionary Leave Request must be submitted three workdays in advance of anticipated absence • All Employee Leave shall be in compliance with LPISD Board Policy DEC (Local.) • Upon return from leave, an Absence from Duty Form must be completed w ith documentation veryifying school business, jury/subpoena, and military leaves. • Exhibits Principal/Supervisor shall retain a copy of Request for Leave form for their records. 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 59 Absence From Duty Form Exhibits Page 60 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Pre-Trip Inspection Form Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 61 Pre-Trip Inspection Procedure As you walk to the bus, check: Leaks / puddles Body damage Bus leaning Operation of entry door Enter the bus and check: Tightness of handrail Emergency equipment (triangles, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, body fluid kit) Start the engine: Make sure oil pressure comes up Make sure alternator is charging to 12 to 14 volts Place the transmission in “D” and press on the accelerator to make sure the parking brake holds Place transmission in “N” and continue to build air pressure. Air Brake Test: Build pressure to 120 psi Turn off the engine and turn the key back on Release the parking brake Step on the brake pedal and hold it for one minute (you should lose no more than 3 – 5 psi in one minute Pump the brake pedal. At 60 psi the warning buzzer and light comes on. At 20 psi the brake knob pops out. Restart the engine and build the air pressure back up to 120 psi Close the service door and turn on all lights. Check the following from the driver’s seat: Wipers and washers Fans / defrosters / heaters / air conditioners Place the transmission in “R” and walk through the bus to the rear. Check the following: Seats for damage and tightness Emergency windows and hatches (open and close at least once daily) Open the emergency door, check for buzzer, and check the lights at the rear: Amber warning lights Back-up lights Clearance lights 4-Way flashers Tail lights Close the emergency door and place the transmission back in “N” Open the service door and exit the bus. Walk around to check the following: Passenger side: Fuel cap is on and tight Windows are not broken or cracked No body damage Side marker lights are working Rear tires are properly inflated and lug nuts tight Tire tread depth of 2/32” minimum Rear of bus: Red loading lights Open and close emergency door Windows are not broken or cracked No body damage Tail pipe is secure Driver’s side: Windows are not broken or cracked No body damage Side marker lights are working Rear tires are properly inflated and lug nuts tight Tire tread depth of 2/32” minimum Pull air tank drain cord until no moisture comes from under bus Make sure battery box door is closed tightly (do not open it) Stop sign (if present) is working properly Hood is latched Front tire is properly inflated and lug nuts are tight Tire tread depth of 4/32” minimum Mirrors are tight Front of bus: Windshield is not broken or cracked Mirrors are tight Headlights and turn signals are working License plate is present and secured Crossing-arm (if present) is working properly No body damage No leaks under bus Passenger side: Mirrors are tight Hood is latched Front tire is properly inflated and lug nuts are tight Tire tread depth of 4/32” minimum Enter bus: Stepwell light is working Turn off all lights except headlights and clearance lights Adjust seat properly Adjust mirrors properly Complete the pre-trip inspection form Fasten seatbelt Exhibits Page 62 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Vehicle Work Order Work orders are to be completed by drivers on computers provided in Transportation Conference room. Login: Password: Exhibits driver driver 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 63 Student Registration Packet TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT 1002 SAN JACINTO ST LA PORTE, TEXAS 77571 (281) 604-7177 Transportation Eligibility School Bus transportation is a privilege offered by the district free of charge to students who live two miles or more from his/her zoned campus as measured by the nearest commonly traveled public road. This privilege is conditional upon the student observing safe and appropriate behavior while waiting for the bus, riding the bus, and departing the bus. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities Read and understand this form. Have your child return the registration form portion to their bus driver immediately. Ensure that your child is aware of, cooperates in, and obeys the safety rules on this form, as well as bus driver instructions. Ensure that your child rides the appropriate bus. Students are allowed to ride their assigned bus ONLY and may only have one (1) bus stop. Ensure that your child demonstrates safe and appropriate behavior at the bus stop. a student to board their bus unless they are on the list submitted by the campus. Violations of bus safety rules will result in removal from the tutorial route & will also count on the regular route bus. Pre-K & Special Education Students Pre-K & Special Education students will be served bus stops as designed in their individual registration papers. Pre-K & Special Education students will only be released from the bus if a parent /guardian or other pre designated person is present at the bus stop to receive the student. If no approved adult is present, the child will be returned to the campus for the parent to pick-up. Once a student has been returned to the campus twice, the process to suspend bus riding privileges will begin. Gated Communities, Private Property, & Construction La Porte ISD buses are not permitted to operate on private property or roads that are not maintained by the County or State. Gated communities, apartment complexes, and trailer parks are considered private property. Neighborhoods that are under construction pose a safety hazard for large vehicles like school buses. La Porte ISD will not travel through areas where significant construction may impact the safety of the bus route. Bus Route Information All bus routes are designed to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible while still meeting the students’ needs. When a route change is necessary that will effect pickup/drop off times and/or bus number, notification will be made in the form of notes handed out to the students two afternoons prior to the effective date of change. In most cases, bus stops are located at street corners or a common point for students to gather. Bus routes are not designed to pick-up and deliver students at every child’s home. Where possible, bus stops are located such that students should walk no more than one half (½) a mile to the nearest bus stop. School buses are built as a heavy duty large truck. Because of their size and weight, buses are not able to traverse on some roads. In situations like these, students will be required to walk to an area where a bus can travel safely. If students are not present at a bus stop for 5 consecutive days, the bus stop will be discontinued without notice to the parents. Parents must contact the Transportation Department to resume service at that stop. Bus Safety Rules and Expectations School bus transportation is a privilege offered by La Porte ISD to all students who are eligible for this service. The school district staff and bus drivers share your concern about the safety of your child. You can assist in providing a safe bus ride by reviewing the following items with your child. Meeting The Bus Bus Safety Rules Tutorial Routes After school tutorial routes might be offered at various times of the school year. Tutorial routes are built on a modified schedule that has fewer bus stops and cover a larger area of the district. Students MUST be pre-registered through their campus before boarding the buses. The drivers will not permit Students must be on time & visible at the bus stop. It is recommended that students be their bus stop seven (7) minutes before pick-up time. Students must not stand on the traveled portion of the roadway while waiting for the bus. Students must not approach a moving bus until it comes to a complete stop. Once the bus has stopped, the student may walk towards the bus once signaled by the driver. Once on the bus, students must go directly to their assigned seat so that the bus may proceed on its route. Observe the same conduct level as expected in the classroom. Profanity & obscene gestures are not allowed. Do not eat or drink on the bus Do not litter or damage the bus in any way. Drivers are authorized to assign seats All items prohibited at school are prohibited on the bus. Fighting, horseplay, & throwing objects is prohibited. Exhibits Page 64 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook No live/dead animals, flammable materials are allowed. No skateboards, balls, roller blades, or balloons may be brought on the bus. Large, bulky items that cannot fit under the seat or in the students lap may not be brought on the bus. Arrangements must be made for the parent to transport these items. This includes large band instruments and school projects. Departing The Bus When getting off of the bus, students should move quickly but safely away from the unloading area. The emergency door at the rear of the bus is to be used for emergency purposes only. It is not used for boarding or departing the bus. Students are allowed to board and depart the bus at one (1) designated bus stop ONLY! Consequences for Rule Violations When a student fails to observe the bus safety rules, the driver will complete a bus safety report & submit it to the Transportation Office to be forwarded to the campus principal. The campus principal will review, with the student, the expectations & consequences for rule violations. 1st Report Warning. Step 2 explained. The report is sent home for parent signature and returned to the principal. nd 2 Report Warning. Step 3 explained. The report is sent home for parent signature and returned to the principal. 3rd Report The student is denied bus privileges for 3 days. Step 4 is explained. The report is sent home for parent signature and returned to the principal. th 4 Report The student is denied bus privileges for 10 days. Step 5 is explained. The parent is telephoned and the report is sent home. A conference with the building administrator, student, & parent will be held before bus privilege may be resumed. 5th Report The student is denied bus privileges for 20 days. Step 6 is explained. The parent is telephoned and the report is sent home. A conference with the building administrator, student, & parent will be held before bus privilege may be resumed. th 6 Report The student is denied bus privileges for the remainder of the year. The parent is telephoned and the report is sent home. A parent conference may be called at any time by the building administrator, Transportation Director, or Route Supervisors should serious misconduct occur. The building administrator or Transportation Director has the authority to skip steps for serious violations, or to repeat them if the misconduct is not a serious safety violation. 37.126 Disruption of Transportation (a) Except as provided by section 37.125, A person commits an offence if the person intentionally disrupts, or interferes with the lawful transportation of children to or from school or an activity sponsored by a school on a vehicle owned or operated by a county, or independent school district. (b) An offence under this section is a class C misdemeanor -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------School Bus Rider Registration Form Please complete the following information. Detach this portion and have your child return it to the driver the NEXT TIME he/she rides the bus. Please PRINT or TYPE the information. Last Name: ___________________________ First Name: _____________________________ Middle Name: _________________ Home Address: _________________________________________ City: _______________________ Zip Code: ________________ Mailing Address: ________________________________________ City: _______________________ Zip Code: ________________ (if different from home) Home Phone #: ___________________ Birth Date: ______________ Gender: ______________ Grade: _______ School Attending: ____________________________________ Father/Guardian Name: ____________________________ Work Phone # ____________________ Cell #: ____________________ Mother/Guardian Name: ___________________________ Work Phone # ____________________ Cell #: ____________________ 1st Emergency Contact Name: ____________________________ Phone #: ________________ Relationship: ___________________ 2nd Emergency Contact Name: ____________________________Phone #: ________________ Relationship: ___________________ I have received a copy of the bus safety rules & expectations and agree to follow them as a condition of my riding the bus. Parent Signature: ____________________________________________ Student Signature: __________________________________________ Date: ____________________________________ Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 65 School Bus Safety Report Exhibits Page 66 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Seating Chart Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 67 Route Hazard Report Exhibits Page 68 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Tutorial Route Report TRANSPORTATION TUTORIAL ROUTE REPORT DEPARTMENT 1002 SAN JACINTO ST LA PORTE, TEXAS 77571 (281) 604-7177 Bus #________ Campus_________________________________________________ Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Date Date Date Date Date Start Time Start Time Start Time Start Time Start Time Start Odometer Start Odometer Start Odometer Start Odometer Start Odometer # Students # Students # Students # Students # Students End Time End Time End Time End Time End Time End Odometer End Odometer End Odometer End Odometer End Odometer Signature Signature Signature Signature Signature Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 69 Special Needs Transportation Brochure Exhibits Page 70 Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 71 Field Trip Driver Application TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT 1002 SAN JACINTO ST LA PORTE, TEXAS 77571 (281) 604-7177 FIELD TRIP DRIVER APPLICATION 2009-2010 Bus # Driver Name SS# Please Print Eligibility Guidelines o Newly hired drivers are eligible for in town field trips on a probationary status. Upon completion of six months service this probationary status may be removed at the discretion of the Director of Transportation. Drivers who demonstrate a need for further training will remain on probationary status until such time as determined by the Director of Transportation. o Open enrollment for field trips is limited to the first day of each semester. Field trip drivers must be registered on the first day of the fall or spring semester to be eligible for trips that semester. o Drivers with a route time of 35 hours or more per week (including mid-day routes an extra assignments) may be limited in the number of field trip opportunities due to overtime constraints. o Associate Drivers & Call-In Substitute drivers are not eligible for field trips. Assignment Guidelines o Field trips are assigned to equally distribute field trip hours over the course of the school year. Hours, time of a trip, & group being transported are all factors considered when assigning a driver to a field trip. o If you are unable to accept a trip assignment you must notify Pam Swaney immediately and must wait for the rotation to come back to you before you will be assigned another trip assignment. Refusing a field trip opportunity still counts as an opportunity! o The Director of Transportation or his designee retains the right to trade trip assignments in emergency situations. o Drivers are not allowed to trade trip assignments. For complete information on field trips, refer to the 2009-2010 Transportation Handbook. Initial ALL STATEMENTS THAT APPLY below. ____________ I WOULD LIKE TO BE PLACED ON The Field Trip List ____________ I WOULD LIKE TO BE PLACED ON The Football Game Only Trip List ____________ I AM NOT INTERESTED IN TRIPS AT THIS TIME ___________________________________________ ____________ Signature Date Exhibits Page 72 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Field Trip Notification Form Driver: Trip ID# Date Offered: Trip Dates: Trip Location: Day/Time: PLEASE REPLY BY: Please Circle One: If no is checked, please give reason for refusal: Additional information (optional) Driver’s Signature: Exhibits Personal Conflicts with another trip Interferes with route Places me in Overtime YES NO 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 73 Job Descriptions Exhibits Page 74 Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 75 Exhibits Page 76 Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 77 Exhibits Page 78 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Texas Department of Public Safety School Bus Drivers’ Driving Record Evaluation Guidelines Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 79 Exhibits Page 80 Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 81 Exhibits Page 82 Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 83 Exhibits Page 84 Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 85 Exhibits Page 86 Exhibits 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook 2010-2011 La Porte ISD Transportation Department Employee Handbook Page 87 Handbook Receipt The policies and procedures found in this employee handbook may change from time to time at the sole discretion of the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department. The La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department explicitly reserves the right to change or modify any of the provisions contained in these policies and procedures at any time, with or without advance notice. The policies and procedures set forth in this employee handbook are not a binding employment contract. This handbook provides general guidelines only and none of its provisions are contractual in nature. I understand that all employment with the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department is “at will,” meaning that my employment may be terminated at any time, with or without notice, for any reason or no reason, by either the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department or the employee. This handbook is not a contract guaranteeing employment for any specific period of time, either the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department or the employee may end this relationship at any time, with or without cause, notice or reason. No manager, supervisor, or representative other than the La Porte Independent School District’s Superintendent and Board has the authority to enter into any agreement guaranteeing you employment for any specific period of time or to make any written or oral promises, agreements, or commitments contrary to this policy. Further, any employment agreement entered into by the Superintendent and Board will not be enforceable unless it is in writing. This handbook replaces and supersedes all earlier La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department personnel practices, policies, and guidelines. I _______________________________ acknowledge receiving the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department’s employee policy handbook. I clearly understand that this policy handbook does not create a contract for employment with the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department, and that the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department may change or modify the policies and procedures in this handbook at any time, with or without prior notice. I agree to read the policies outlined in the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department’s handbook, and will ask for clarification for any item not understood. Should no questions be asked it will be implied that I fully understand all policies contained in the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department’s handbook. I agree to be bound by the La Porte Independent School District Transportation Department’s rules and regulations during my employment. I understand that violating the policies and rules set out in this handbook may lead to discipline, up to and including termination. __________________________________ Employee Signature __________________________________ Date Handbook Receipt
