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MamaLoca
Advanced Member
USA
400 Posts |
 Posted - 09/21/2001 : 4:45:53 PM
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Instead of re-inventing the wheel.
Does anyone know of a District that has a Mentoring Program for New Drivers.
I wondered what works, What doesn't.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Nila
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Phil4747
Top Member
USA
695 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2001 : 9:35:57 PM
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Well, I'm gonna start learning to drive the vehicle when I'm 16--in less than a week I'm buying a 40 ft Type D with a 10sp transmission. 
Also, I've been picking up some tips from my former drivers, just from talking to them about the job and observing. It's never too early to start learning to drive a bus hehehe
—Phil
"It's the same way some people are obsessed with cars. I'm just weird."
Edited by - phil4747 on 09/30/2001 9:37:03 PM |
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JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2001 : 10:37:24 AM
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Nila,
My presumption is that you are asking in regard to student/parent/staff behavioral and preventive loss management and not the mechanical aspects of driving a school bus.
Your concern is not the reinventing of the wheel, since in this area of school bus management the wheel hasn't been invented yet. What mlkdrives41 and Phil4747 said in their posts are about as close to a standard the school bus industry can provide.
There is no established and effective standard for the people management part of driving school bus in any state that I am aware of. This area of bus driving is seriously lacking most everywhere you go.
A mentoring system sounds great, yet to establish an effective system -- something more than a fantasy standard that just looks good -- may involve more work than management desires. Are you into redeveloping management and driver mindsets and payroll in order to establish a genuine mentor system?
(1) Consider all new hires trainees (or driver1), and develop a trainee driver pay scale different from the professional (or driver2) pay scale.
(2) Establish a minimum standard for experience served -- two or three or five years, any of these might work;
(3) Establish a behavioral and safety management testing process for trainees to advance to professional status;
(4) Review and finalize a payroll scale to reflect the change in status, from trainee to professional, and the new responsibilities involved: An example might be the driver1 pay scale starts at $10PH with pay raises to a maximum of say $12PH. Driver2 might start at $13PH with a max of $18 or more dollars per hour.
Finally, include in the advancement to professional status the requirement to mentor at least one trainee on an ongoing basis: The professional driver is then not only responsible for his or her route, but also in helping at least one trainee (ongoing) master this aspect of driving school bus. This professional driver responsibility would include attending any parent/management concerns or meetings concerning that mentor's trainee's activities on the job.
How many bus drivers want this kind of responsibility is usually directly proportional to the difference in status and financial benefit.
You may now notice the reason even state owned student transportation systems shy away from a trade approach to cultivating their bus drivers. In the short term such a system can cost more money ... Cost-Cutting is the current fad, not developing a professional driving core. Why spend the extra effort and dollars when all it will do is save a few lives?
I happen to believe saving one life, once in a while, is worth the extra but you will find that not everyone agrees with this thought.
Good luck with your adventure to buck the standard.
(jk)
Internet keyword: 2safeschools
Edited by - jk on 10/02/2001 3:58:53 PM |
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2001 : 1:39:28 PM
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Because I have 22 years driving experience, and have had the highest senority in the transportation department for about six years now I always have the new drivers that are getting there experience. They ususally do a week on the bus. The first three days riding the bus, and observing, and the second two days in "comand central" driving the bus. I know that they can drive the vehicle, so I actually do three days observing, and two days driving. The first three days, usually gives them enough time to see different behavior problems, and how they are handled. I also have them take notes on student behavior, and new driving techniques they learned from watching me drive. The last two days I do the observing, and take notes. I usually have more to say on how they are dealing with student discipline than I do on driving, but I always have tips and pointers too make on the driving.
Just sticking someone behind the wheel for two days on a route and telling them to drive isn't going to benefit anyone. Trainee observation/full time driver observation is the key to success.
Phil4747 good luck with your bus you are purchasing. Enjoy the 10 speed transmission.
86-A It will go in circles around your bus.
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MamaLoca
Advanced Member
USA
400 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2001 : 4:34:08 PM
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Well, so it seems, as jk has said, there is no wheel when it comes to any kind of Mentoring programs for New School Bus Drivers.
First let me say that we (Canandaigua School Bus Driver's Association) have succeeded in negotiating a small step forward in our struggle to provide representation to ALL of our drivers, Until this week the CSBDA has not been permitted to represent our Substitute drivers. We have made a babystep towards that representation. Our new designation is Non-Route Drivers pertaining to any driver who maintains a level of availability described in the agreement. A step in the right direction.
We had the first meeting to discuss and decide if a Mentoring program would benifit our new drivers. The CSBDA Board members, our Transportation Director and two Non-Route Driver representatives meet to try to start the process. Although we would prefer to have these Mentors be paid we, for the most part, feel that starting with a voluntary program is the only way. I can hear some of you groan. I know, but any progress after all IS progress. Hopefully we will be able to negotiate some sort of compensation at our next contract negotiations in a few years. Maybe something like a yearly stipend in leu of hourly wages as such. Anyway, we have started along the path and at our next meeting we will be discussing training for the Mentors, i.e. what they would be qualified to help with and what should be referred back to management.
Wish us luck and feel free to add your two cents about what we are trying to accomplish here. ;-)
Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to.
Edited by - MamaLoca on 10/19/2001 4:36:07 PM |
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MamaLoca
Advanced Member
USA
400 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2001 : 10:38:19 AM
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UPDATE
Well we have had two meetings regarding the Mentoring program. This may be a slow process but well worth the effort.
- Committee formed, 4 csbda Board Members, 2 Non-Route Drivers, the Transportation Supervisor
- Our Supervisor sent a memo to all drivers asking for volunteers. 11 responded
- Not much progress on the actual program, brainstorming as to where to go next
- Supervisor is going to send another memo asking for ideas about what sorts of things should be covered by the program
- Supervisor to look into contracting for a seminar about general mentoring technics for the actual mentors
- Determined that 5 mentors would be suffitient for our department
- A verbal commitment from our supervisor to spend the funds to create a good program.
Our new "Non-Route" driver Agreement with the District is a reality. Our association is now permitted under contract to represent any driver who meets the availability guidelines to be considered a "Non-Route Driver" as opposed to a Substitute Driver. (mentioned in a earlier post)
Please feel free to add your ideas and comments.
Nila
Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. |
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Rich
Top Member
United States
5768 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2001 : 1:21:27 PM
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quote:
Well, I'm gonna start learning to drive the vehicle when I'm 16--in less than a week I'm buying a 40 ft Type D with a 10sp transmission.
Also, I've been picking up some tips from my former drivers, just from talking to them about the job and observing. It's never too early to start learning to drive a bus hehehe
—Phil
"It's the same way some people are obsessed with cars. I'm just weird."
Edited by - phil4747 on 09/30/2001 9:37:03 PM
Thats great Phil!!! I'm 13 and I'm obsessed with buses too!!! What bus body and chassis is it??? 
"Blue Bird... Gotta Love Those Birdies!!!" www.blue-bird.com www.busexplorer.com |
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Phil4747
Top Member
USA
695 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2001 : 3:57:04 PM
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Actually, the whole thing kinda fell through, but it was gonna be a classic Crown from CA.
—Phil
"It's the same way some people are obsessed with cars. I'm just weird." |
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BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2001 : 05:39:48 AM
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Phil,
You and Ernie didn't go to CA and get that bus?
Edited by - BUSBOY on 11/06/2001 05:42:04 AM |
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Mentoring Program for New Drivers?
