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largebus
Advanced Member
USA
468 Posts |
 Posted - 06/04/2002 : 6:27:35 PM
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While scanning the certifcation requirements for numerous states I was amazed that while the education requirements for Superintendent's licenses include everything under the sun (business, law, community relations, facilties design and management) transportation is not a major part of the curriculum (it could fall under district support services in some states). This disturbs me a little-is transportation not important to get that attention?
"Kids be quiet and listen to the nice bus driver".
"That ain't how ya do it ya do it like this-HEY SHUT UP BACK THERE!" |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2002 : 03:11:55 AM
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All the more reason to have an experienced Transportation Director that has the flexibility and staff support to get the job done. Many Districts place a school Principal in this key position without ANY training or experience, and that isn't fair to the Director OR the District! Although many states can offer some help to new Directors, there is no substitute for experience.
Joe
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cowlitzcoach
Advanced Member
USA
325 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2002 : 07:40:33 AM
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Usually the only time one sees the "Boss" at the bus garage is when they want the bus drivers to support the levy or bond issue.
In my opinion, it would be eaiser for them to garner support if they would come around a little bit more often.
Mark O.
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largebus
Advanced Member
USA
468 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2002 : 2:07:40 PM
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Our Super did ride a couple bus routes when he first came. In addition he recommended a transportation director who is considerably better than our old one. What disturbs me is that some districts have hired leaders who were never even teachers-Miami Dades was a public commisioner, San Diego's an attorney. People who are not familiar with the system should not be permitted to take a job that requires so much knowledge. Transportation should be added to their curriculum.
"Kids be quiet and listen to the nice bus driver".
"That ain't how ya do it ya do it like this-HEY SHUT UP BACK THERE!" |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2002 : 2:34:44 PM
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Many school districts, but particularly large ones with huge budgets, want someone as a superintendent that has some serious business experience! With literally millions of taxpayer dollars at stake, someone is needed that is fiscally sound, in addition to being able to run the instructional segment of a school district.
Our superintendent hired a Chief Instructional Officer and a Chief Operating Officer. One for business and one for education. Works for us.
Joe
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largebus
Advanced Member
USA
468 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2002 : 11:34:16 AM
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quote:
Many school districts, but particularly large ones with huge budgets, want someone as a superintendent that has some serious business experience! With literally millions of taxpayer dollars at stake, someone is needed that is fiscally sound, in addition to being able to run the instructional segment of a school district.
Our superintendent hired a Chief Instructional Officer and a Chief Operating Officer. One for business and one for education. Works for us.
Joe
Well the district overpays the Business Administration staff for some reason...in any case, a Superintendent NEEDS to have good business skills but a schoo district is providing education to students not products to a client and it takes an insider to understand the educational process. Most superintendents were indeed teachers (most states require it by law) and do a pretty good job. Running schools like a business? In some ways but there is more to it than that. A Superintendent who was an insider will know the process better. Better business experience benefits the business end but not the instructional. Also, Florida (in some districts) still publicly elects their superintendents which is a good idea also. As I want to be a Superintendent I study the positions and the people that fill them in detail. The idea of having two Deputies under the Super (one for business, one for instruction) is an excellent idea and probably the best model. Just my opinion, but having an instructional background is still invaluable.
"Kids be quiet and listen to the nice bus driver".
"That ain't how ya do it ya do it like this-HEY SHUT UP BACK THERE!" |
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wagonmaster
Top Member
USA
2298 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2002 : 1:27:48 PM
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Elected Superintendents can really be the pits for any type of administrator working on their staff. Every decision, it seems, has political ramifications and is regularly second guessed by an elected Supt. I know several people who, if given the choice, will never again work for an elected Supt. Regardless of the educational or business format, politics are a HUGE part of his/her agenda! Nothing is taken at face value. I think politics have NO place in the Supt. office! Let's leave that for the board members.
I didn't mean to imply that schools should be run like a business, but certainly the district should. This can have huge implications in the classrooms. Money wasted anywhere is money lost that could be used to hire more teachers to reduce class size, add needed programs and buy new books, etc.
To use a dual deputy system, as I mentioned, the district must clearly be large enough benefit from this structure. They should stand alone, but support one another for an efficient, workable district. A good leader is only as good as those beneath him.
Joe
Edited by - wagonmaster on 06/13/2002 1:44:57 PM |
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largebus
Advanced Member
USA
468 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2002 : 2:15:34 PM
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quote:
Elected Superintendents can really be the pits for any type of administrator working on their staff. Every decision, it seems, has political ramifications and is regularly second guessed by an elected Supt. I know several people who, if given the choice, will never again work for an elected Supt. Regardless of the educational or business format, politics are a HUGE part of his/her agenda! Nothing is taken at face value. I think politics have NO place in the Supt. office! Let's leave that for the board members.
I didn't mean to imply that schools should be run like a business, but certainly the district should. This can have huge implications in the classrooms. Money wasted anywhere is money lost that could be used to hire more teachers to reduce class size, add needed programs and buy new books, etc.
To use a dual deputy system, as I mentioned, the district must clearly be large enough benefit from this structure. They should stand alone, but support one another for an efficient, workable district. A good leader is only as good as those beneath him.
Joe
Edited by - wagonmaster on 06/13/2002 1:44:57 PM
Excellent point about the people underneath...it seems that most money is wasted on the administrative salaries and benefits to me (and extra niceties in some cases, like fancy furniture). The elected conditions you mentioned never occured to me but they definately make sense. The double deputy system actually wouldn't hurt in a small district-2 Asst. Supers would help I think. But as you stated a good leader is only as good as those below him. As for running a district like a business I am opposed to services like education and health care being approached in such a manner. The operations and finance areas to a degree maybe but not the whole thing. I believe that no Superintendent should be hired just because he was a businessman or teacher, but based on his business skills, human resources skills and his understanding of education. The skills make the Superintendent, which includes but is not limited to the background. I still favor someone with an educational background, but I understand your points. Every district needs one clear leader (having two equal leaders as opposed to double deputies will not work) who is familiar with all facets of the operation. This is what I hope to be.
"Kids be quiet and listen to the nice bus driver".
"That ain't how ya do it ya do it like this-HEY SHUT UP BACK THERE!" |
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Nell65
Senior Member
USA
74 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2002 : 08:33:24 AM
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Hi,
The man that I had when I first started driving in 1986, got promoted to Director of Transportation because he'd had the experience as a mechanic! No formal education is needed at the district level, but they must have working knowledge about the mechanics of the buses so they can submit the budget for parts.
The guy may have known buses, but as to supervising a tranporation department or it's employees, he was clueless.
The new Transporation Director at another district in my area was my dispatcher, but he started out in the grounds and maintaince department.
I believe that some formal education in tranporation should be required. I know of one college here in NY that offers courses in it. Business courses too, since you are heading a department that relys on funds to run it and maintain the fleet. Like they say, "Knowledge is power, power is knowledge" and when dealing with a fleet of buses, drivers, schools, and the public, you need all the resources you can get.
Nell
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UncleNeal
Senior Member
USA
153 Posts |
Posted - 06/18/2002 : 2:06:11 PM
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I agree with some of the other posts in this forum, but you need to remember a few basic points: not all school districts have their own transportation department or may not even contract out this service, so it is not always necessary to have this experience. Basic business skills are a must, especially when it comes to budgetary functions. The single most important item to me is that the Superintendent lets the person in charge of transportation do his or her job without interfering if the superintendent has no experience in this area! I mean that if the transportation supervisor, director, whatever, has the necessary expertise and training, let them do their job! I have experienced superintendents who expect every parents' special wishes to be met no matter what! How can we meet every childs special circumstances with a limited number of buses, drivers, etc.? Most transportation operations in school districts are not taxi services and should not be viewed as such, don't you think? So as long as the superintendent follows the (hopefully) logical explainations of its transportation supervisors, the job will get done.
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Transportation for Superintendents
