For Phil and His Family

 

Many Have already heard but I think it should still be said. Yesterday a 65 year old woman was driving a van and for some reason she crossed completely over the white line. In doing so she hit and caused the death of Monticello's very own Phillip Gregory LaVallee. Phil Graduated with me last year and he was one of the most amazing athletes I have ever seen or had the chance to know.

He said once, in an interview that one thing he thought would be kind of cool to do before he passed was to win our hometowns 5K. Earlier this summer Phil did just that! He even set a record for fastest time! I remember seeing him there and thinking, "holy cow he's amazing". My mother and I were excited that someone from Monticello had won this year and she remembers seeing him jogging back after finishing while she was still running. She also thought that he was amazing.

Best wishes to Phil's family, goodness knows how hard it is to lose someone. especially someone who was so young and full of promise. 

To read the original story follow the below link.

http://monticellotimes.com/2013/08/09/van-hits-kills-mhs-graduate-out-for-a-run/

Thank You,

Haleigh

Impact

 

This story is sorrowful and yet the survivors and the families of those that were lost have taken this tragic event and turned it into some of the most powerful experiences that have affect our nation as a whole. The crash in Carrolton, Ky on May 14th 1988 is a compounded memory for all involved. The terror of the crash, the fight for survival and the bravery they had to recover is a heart wrenching tale that must be told and retold over and over. From one mans ignorant choice a country has mourned and countless changes have been initiated. Those changes being one of the few positive things to come from this event.

The bus had just refueled, the students and chaperons were starting to settle down after a day of excitement. No one thought that a vehicle would be going the wrong way, no one thought they would be so thoroughly encased in fire, and no one thought that so many would be lost. When that car hit the barely protected fuel tank on that old bus, flames shot down the side. A survivor, Jason Booher, remembers this scene vividly, "Chuck, the youth director of the church that sponsored the trip, was sitting in the stairwell, so he stood up, and he was immediately engulfed in flames. He yelled out, “Lord, I’m coming home!” That was unbelievable, to witness something like that.". At the time of the crash Booher was a mere 13 years old and recalls this event in horrific details.

Pictured above is Jason Booher a survivor of the 1988 Carrolton crash.

From there the bus which was meant filled to the brim with people and bags and coolers, collapsed into a panicked frenzy. The only exit remaining was the one in the back of the school bus sine the front was engulfed in flames. Everyone scrambled from their seats, piling up on top of each other in a brutal race towards freedom and safety. Sadly only 40 of the original 67 made it off of that bus. A rough 8 or so made it with only smoke inhalation as their injuries. The rest had severe burns, multiple skin graphs and weeks to spend in the hospital. Visual reminders will forever scar them and become a permanent reminder of that night so long ago, of that horror.

This production will show a tragedy and will show how these family, this town, our nation is working to overcome it. The good and the bad side affects from this crash will be sharing in stark details and as  raw memories from the survivors. Take the time to watch this film and think about the impact it has had. This is the link to the movie's site, click here. The link to the story is here.

Thank You,
Haleigh

Mother Boards School Bus with Intent

Rebecca Sardoni and Stephanie Sardoni illegally boarded a  Toms River Regional School Bus last Friday morning and then proceed to assault two children . The driver of the bus (who remains anonymous) stated that Sardoni boarded the bus at her daughters stop and used vulgar language to describe an incident involving  Rebecca's daughter and Stephanie's Grand daughter. From there Rebecca called out "who is Vinny?".  A boy near the rear of the bus supposedly raised his hand. After which Rebecca Sardoni went to the 9 year old boy and slapped him without saying another word. She hit him so hard that his face smashed into a school bus window. The boys had to be taken to the hospital for treatment for a busted lip and neck injuries.

Pictured above is Rebecca Sardoni.

 

Rebecca Sardoni call the school on Thursday night to voice her complaint about her daughter being bullied. Together the school official and Rebecca decided that the students mentioned would be spoken to by the school after the bus dropped them off on Friday morning. What these two woman did was illegal and ill founded. Not to mention unreasonably aggressive. To swear and use violence in front of children ranging from the ages of 5-10 years old is beyond my comprehension. These two woman should be down right ashamed of them selves. Even if the boy had been guilty of bullying her daughter, which he wasn't, using physical force is never the right way to discipline a child in that situation.

Sardoni has been charged with and arrested for the following; simple assault, criminal trespass and terroristic threats.  Stephanie was charged with Criminal Trespass. The school also stated that this was not the first run-in with this parent. All this because she boarded the bus looking to take her daughters bullying matters into her own hands. The boy she hit was not a part of her daughters bullying, she made a mistake and now she will have to pay for acting in such and unreasonable and irresponsible manner. She will also need to live with the fact that she has hurt an innocent child and that above all is unforgivable.

To read the original story click here.

Thank You,
Haleigh

Plans Underway for Annual Driver Training

We have been doing our annual driving training in a one-on-one setting for the last few years so we would have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with each driver.

We're shaking things up this year.

On August 20, 2013, we are going to run two sessions.  The first begins at 8:00 am and runs until 1:00 pm, and the second begins at 12:00 and runs until 4:00 pm.  Each of the two sessions will be identical; it's up to bus drivers which option to choose.

We're going to set up a bunch of booths and training stations in the parking lot.  Drivers will be paired in groups of two or three and will be assigned a starting point and assigned a path.  They will collect a token at each booth, and will be able to enter a drawing for a marvelous (REALLY MARVELOUS) grand prize drawing at the end of the day.

So far we have planned the following stations (a minimum of twelve stations will be set up and a maximum of twenty-five), and have contacted a few area vendors and businesses to (we hope!) get a few unique learning opportunities for our staff:

• Jami will meet with the small team of drivers to give them their routes and Opening Day information packets.  She will update them with some staffing changes made over the summer.
• A trainer will demonstrate several different versions of our No Child Left Behind Devices, wheelchair securement, and miscellaneous items relating to pre- and post-trip inspections.  EACH driver will have a chance to secure a wheelchair.
• A local expert will observe drivers securing car seats, vests, and other restraint devices, and will make corrections where necessary.
• Shelley will have packets of annual forms, including tax and employment forms, DOT forms, personal information updates, and MVR reviews.  She will also be handing out revisions of three important publications we haven't revised for five years.
• A local business will offer chair massages and health and wellness information.
• A local health expert will offer information about dealing with common special circumstances, like choking, seizures, epipens, and general student information.
• Matt will offer a mirror adjustment clinic so EACH driver will learn about adjusting mirrors in an unfamiliar bus for the proper positioning to minimize blind spots.

The list is already exciting, but the final five spots haven't been confirmed yet.  I guarantee they will top off the list in STYLE and SUBSTANCE!

We've also contacted a local food vendor to create a fantastic menu so the morning attendees can end their day with a meal and the afternoon attendees can begin their session with a meal.  We're hoping that creates an opportunity to introduce new employees and perhaps some school administrators and staff.  

We have started working on contacting some local businesses who might be interested in providing some coupons or giveaways for our BUS DRIVER GOODIE BAGS, which are always a big hit and which generate some extra business in our community.

This should be a fun event and a great kick-off to the school year.  

Y'all should stop in for a peek.

Safe Driving!

Kari

We Have an Impact on our Students!

One student in New York gained the will to succeed after speaking to her school bus driver after having a rather rough day at school. Ken Boisvert was the driver of Destynee Duncan, (who is now graduated)when she boarded the school bus one day after school and said that she was never going back. Duncan said that the state tests they administer in New York to all students, had been too hard and she had felt that she had performed them badly.

Pictured above is Boisvert and Duncan.

 



 It was at this time that Boisvert decided to step in and talk with the student about how important it is to finish school and graduate. He explained to Duncan that it is hard to succeed in our society without having your diploma. He is right of coarse seeing as very few places will hire anyone who isn't in school and did not graduate. That being said Boisvert told Duncan his story, expressing at one point that if he was able to finish she should be able to as well.

Duncan did go back to school. She did graduate, it was Boisvert that she invited to the ceremony. It is also him that she thanks and credit with her return and successful finish.

School bus drivers can be the best part of every students morning or the most influential person in a moment.  Here at Hoglund transportation we strive to let the students have a safe ride but we also want to offer them a trustworthy adult who is ready and willing to help to the best of their abilities. To Ken Boisvert, I say he did an amazing job and deserves to be recognized as an outstanding member of the school bus community.

Thank You,
Haleigh

46 Years Behind the Wheel!!!

Not many drivers have been around long enough to see the 2-way radios installed  in school buses, but  Joyce Bernard has. With 46 years of school bus service under her belt she has witnessed a lot and can attest to the improvement of school bus safety. Bernard started driving to be closer to her children and when she found out the job was not a part time commitment she dove right in and has been dedicated since.

For most students the first thing they experience each and every Monday-Friday morning is a ride on the school bus. That means that the first person they see is a school bus driver and that is why being a driver is not to be taken lightly. Drivers can make that first day special and add a little "umff" to a child's step just by giving them a warm and reassuring first meeting! A bound between a driver and a student can be one of the stronger relationships they have during their elementary school years since they can remain the same during the entire time spanned.

Pictured above is  Joyce Bernard.

 Bernard says that she felt like her students didn't really care about her, she was wrong. When she hit black ice in one of her earlier years and got into a little accident the company was downsizing the area they needed covered and Bernard asked if she could cover a route closer to home. She late found out that the students where going to the school board because they thought she was being punished for the accident. Bernard commented that the children she drove were amazing .

We encourage our drivers to treat the children with a "kind and caring" attitude at all times to ensure that both the student riders and the drivers stay on good terms and able to easily approach one another if something was to happen. We encourage our students and drivers to always be open with each other. Hoglund Transportation works hard to insure that your child's first, second, and all the way to the final bus ride they take is in a comfortable and welcoming environment.

Thank You,

Haleigh

If it's Sunny...it must be Summer!

It's so close to the end of the year and all of us here at Hoglund Transportation look forward to finishing this school year off well!  We hope that all of our students return to us in the fall and have a blast this summer. Remember to finish strong and be safe during this well earned vacation!

Sidney Driver Saves Choking Boy!!!

While driving on May 1st  Nathan Philbrick thought it was just going to be another run of the mill route, he was wrong. With only two pick-ups remaining before he reached the school he noticed a girl calling out on the bus. He was thinking she was just going to have some sort of silly announcement until he looked at her face. From her expression he knew something serious was happening and that he needed to take action.

The little girl was pointing across from her at a little boy who she had just boarded the school bus with. The boy was grasping at his thought and was silently crying. At that moment he safely stopped the bus and went to the boy. As a mandatory regulation by his employer, Philbrick was well aware of how to perform the Heimlich maneuver in the proper way. Shortly after starting a piece of candy was dislodged from the boys throat  and sent flung across the bus.

Thanks to this drivers attentiveness to his pass angers this little boy was able to be saved. Both Driver and the little girl who pointed the boy out are to be given awards for their respective rolls in saving this little boys life.

Thank You,
Haleigh

Find the Fish!

    As a promotion for one of our "Hoglund Companies"- U-Save Auto Rental- we have begun a fun little event. When you rent a car/van you will find a note inside telling you that you have become part of an involuntary scavenger hunt. It's pretty simple though so no worries. All you have to do is find the Swedish fish hidden in the car!

   We are not professional hide and seekers so the task is easily accomplished and your reward is sweet! When you find the fish you will also find a note with them. This note gives you the background information on why we have hidden the fish in the first place! Aside from the note and the fish, you will find an otherwise clean and ready to roll car! We enjoy our jobs while you enjoy our business. We look forward to seeing you soon!

A Good Deed, One Big Mistake

A few weeks ago in California a teacher offered a ride to a wheelchair-bound woman and her male companion. As it turns out the woman was the mother of one of the children who happened to be on the field trip. The field trip was from East Side Union High School and was headed to a college, the purpose for this field trip was not stated. The woman and her companion did not ride to the college on the school bus but were left with out a ride for the way back, which is why they asked a teacher to let them return to the high school on the school bus.

In our company letting an unconfirmed and/or an unknown person on board a school bus is a severe breech in policy. What I find to be truly unacceptable is that the male companion is a convicted sex offender and yet he was allowed to accompany the field trip! I would personally be in an outrage if anything like this ever happened when I was in school or if my child had been involved. It is reported that the two sat in the front of the bus away from any of the students and that no crime was committed but that is still an uneasy situation to be in.

This teacher was only trying to be helpful and ended up putting a lot of children in a dangerous situation. Please use more caution when trying to help and be aware that it could back fire.

If you want to read the full story click here.

Thank You,
Haleigh

Joy Ride lands Boy Back in Jail

Pictured above is Jonathan Cole Collins

      Jonathan Collins, 18-years-old, had just been released from jail when he found himself without a ride. He had been charged with a misdemeanor marijuana charge and had only served 4 days of jail time. Upon his release he began the walk home which was roughly 9.5 miles in the chilly winter weather. Since he wanted to avoid being cold he decided it would be a good idea to "borrow" a Catoosa County school bus from a near by high school.

     Collins located the school buses key, which was meant for the substitute driver, and boarded and started the school bus. Luckily the school bus was equipped with a security camera that was automatically activated when the buses engine was cranked. Collins drove for bus for approximately 20 minutes before discarding it and finishing his trek home on foot, so as to make his arrival look less suspicious.

      When the bus was located the next morning the county was excited to see that no one was injured and the bus was not damaged either. They were able to identify Collins from the video feed and when they confronted him later that day he admitted to the theft. . "He said, 'I just didn't want to walk anymore and decided to drive the bus,'" Fort Oglethorpe Detective James Leamon told WRCB. Collins now faces a $1,000 dollar fine or up to a year in jail.


To read the complete story click here.

Thank You,
Haleigh

An Inspirational Man

Pictured above is Earl Rineer.

In Lafayette Hill, Pa, I happened upon an article about Earl Rineer. What an inspiring man, still driving (and even training) at 90-years-old - a commitment not made by many.  After  serving in World War II, Rineer served as a police officer, and found time to volunteer for the local fire department as a fire fighter, and for special school bus routes. 

It was 1976 when Rineer became an official school bus driver and in just a few short years he was certified to be a school bus driver trainer.  Having been driving for about 25 years, he had accumulated a vast amount of knowledge and was an inspiration to the younger generations. His son, Jerry Rineer, who is transportation supervisor for Lower Merion School District in Ardmore, Pa., told SBF that his father recently showed him how he stays so fit and able.

"He starts out every morning and ends every day doing push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts, etc.," Jerry Rineer said.

My only hope is that I am still able to function at 90!  Exercising may be one of those things I brag to my grandkids about, saying, "Back in my day...we had treadmills in the gym, not [insert whatever new-fangeled device they will have invented by then]." Yes, Rineer has inspired me to not only be more generous in my lifetime but to also stay in shape and dedicate myself to something I love. 

Congratulations on so many years of service and thank you, Earl Rineer, for protecting our country. You are amazing and I'd like to wish you a happy 90th birthday.

To read the full story click here.

Thank You,

Haleigh

A Driver to be Praised and a Child Who Needs Help.

A heroic tragedy took place this past Tuesday in Midland City, Alabama. It stared when the suspect now identified as Jimmy Lee Dykes, 65, a Vietnam veteran and retired truck driver, boarded a school bus at about 3:40 p.m. and demanded two 6-8 year old hostages. The bus driver ,Charles Poland, age 66, had been driving students home and upon hearing Dykes commands stood up and place himself between Dykes and the children as they evacuated from the rear of the school bus. Not much detail has been reported on exactly what occurred next, but what we do know is that Poland, in his outstanding bravery allowed at least 21 students to escape from the school bus before Dykes shot him four times. After Poland was shot and subsequently murdered by Dykes, Dykes managed to snatch a single child from the bus and force him into a bunker Dykes had previously made behind his home in the same neighborhood.

 Pictured above is  Charles Poland, the school bus driver.

The child is know to be a five year old boy and who's name will not be released for obvious reasons. As earlier stated, this horrible event happened on Tuesday, January 29th. As of this morning, Dykes and the young boy are still within the bunker. Reports from neighbor, Michael Creel, have lead police to believe that the bunker is "4-foot-wide, about 6-foot-long, 8-foot-deep homemade bomb shelter, with 3 to 4 feet of sand on top of it. If you didn’t know it was there, you wouldn’t [notice it]”. The police and negotiator has been able to keep in contact with Dykes through a PVC pipe sticking out from the shelter to allow air in. Through this same pipe the police were allowed to deliver much needed medicine and some coloring books and crayons to the child inside. While talking to Dykes they were told that Dykes had previously prepared an electric heater and blankets for the boy. 

Pictured above is Jimmy Dykes, the assailant.

The community is in a small uproar over this situation and school was cancelled Wednesday, when the schools reopened on Friday there where grief counsellors provided for the children. Their is a memorial Saturday night at a visitation service, followed by a funeral service Sunday at the Ozark Civic Center for the brave driver, Poland and prayer goes out to both his family and the family of this poor unknown child. 

If you have a moment, keep them in mind. No one knows what it is like for either family but we can all lend them our support. I, as well as the rest of the staff at Hoglund Transportation will be hoping for the absolute best, a quick and safe return of the young boy, and moral support for Poland's family. Check this link for the latest updates.

Thank You,
Haleigh and Hoglund Transportation's staff

Hoglund's 13 in 2013 Program!

     Starting this month Hoglund Transportation is holding a program for its employees!  This program is focused on 13 areas that an average adult can improve on.  As well as providing the employees with gym passes, this event also gives every participating member (13 in '13 is not mandatory but it's recommended strongly) a pedometer, water bottle, and a 13 in '13 journal! This journal provides you with all 13 improvement methods, and allows room to keep track of your progress. Before I go too far, here are the 13 improvements:

• Going to the gym and finding new ways to physically challenge and improve your body.
• Drinking enough water.
• Eating the right amount of fruit.
• Making sure you are getting enough sleep each night.
• Finding a way to challenge your mind.
• Eating the correct amount of veggies.
• Working on stress management.
• Keeping a positive attitude.
• Contributing to the community.
• Making sure that you are not a couch potato.
• Using daily affirmations
• Planning your meals in a healthy way.
  
       Now for the nitty-gritty, during this first week we have used the gym time to help new gym goers figure everything out. For the first two day the employees where introduced to the machines and could randomly hop from machine to machine. The third day we broke any employees who wanted to into groups and did a set work out plan focused on lower body strengthening. The fourth day we broke into groups as well and focused on upper body. Today we are going to do a tabata.

     For those who do not know what Tabata is, I will explain it here. Tabata is where you pick 6,8,10,or 12 different exercises, and do them in 20 second intervals with 10 second breaks. You do 8 intervals of each exercise you choose. This is a super fun way to work out because the Tabata music always has a quick beat and fun music (music can be bought online or through itunes). Starting next Thursday, there will be a Tabata class led by one of our staff members every week.

     Improving yourself is something all of us can work towards! It isn't hard to increase the amount of water you drink by one cup, or snack on an apple on your way to work. The goal of 13 in 2013 isn't to have everyone lose an extreme amount of weight because that's not realistic. The goal is for the employee to notice change, and know they're able to accomplish their goal with a little determination, effort and support.

Check out our Facebook page for update on work outs, what charity we are donating to this month, and healthy recipes and meal planning tips!

Thank You,

Haleigh

Man Wrested off a Loaded School Bus!

In Palestine Texas a man attempted to hijack a school bus that had approximately 14 students on board. The man is said to have been fleeing from a fight he started in a near by apartment complex. The man is thought to be 30 years old and fled onto the bus while the driver was in the isle assisting a student.

The driver immediately removed the man from his bus with the help of two by-standers. One of which was the apartment complex manager and the second was an off-duty corrections officer. Both of the men rushed to the bus drivers aid and together the men were able to remove the man from the school bus and restrain him until the police arrived.

Lucky for us none of the children were hurt and the bus driver is also reported as being uninjured.


To read the full story click here!

Thank You,
Haleigh

Simply an Astounding Generousity

In Portland, Oregon school bus drivers are delivering Christmas presents and cheer to families in need. Starting a few years back a group of drivers wanted to do something for the less fortunate families in the district and they can up with this amazingly generous plan. First they have the families and young mothers place theirs and their child's need on a "giving tree". Then each driver adopted families and underage mothers. The mothers all got a hat and scarf or mittens while the children got warm clothes or a toy. For families the drivers supplied 3 presents per child. Simply astounding.

To watch a short clip on it click here.

In total the drivers have adopted over 200 children! That is a life changing event for those children and families in need. As a parent I couldn't even begin to express my gratitude for someone who made Christmas a possibility for my children. Some people are willing to go above and beyond for others and that is what we strive for here at Hoglund Transportation. Compliance is an obligation; Excellence is a choice.

Happy Holidays and Safe Driving to all!
To read more click here!

Thank You,
Haleigh

An Eye-Opening Training Exercise

In Lawrence, Michigan 80 people participated in a training exercise in which they entered a school bus that had been turned on the side. They also got to experience being in a smoke filled bus. This massive event was sponsored by the Van Buren Intermediate School District (ISD) and Lawrence Township Emergency Services.

Featured above in an image taken from the rear end of the flipped school bus. This shows just how little space there is to move around. This image also provides a message about how tricky it can be to get to the exit if needed.  It should also be noted that the whole these people are shown exiting through is not the roof hatch emergency exit. That whole was made by the fire fighters who were able to practice their rescue methods. The roof hatch is pictured to the right of the whole the people are shown walking through. Notice the size difference and imagine how much trickier that would be to get everyone out of. One woman in the drill said, “The student strapped into the wheelchair was a real eye-opener for me.” She is referring to the mannequin who was strapped into a secured wheel chair in the back of the flipped bus.

They group was also able to experience what it would be like in a school bus filled with smoke. The smoke in this case was non-toxic vapor. They were then asked to run through an exit drill, the image above shows the proper way to exit through the back of a school bus. One person said this after their experience, “I could not believe how disoriented I became in the smoke-filled bus.” Not being able to see whats going on is a terrifying experience and when your in an emergency situation such as a school bus accident, the smoke  is one huge handicap against you.

After experiencing the two bus exercises the group was also taught the proper method of extinguishing a fire and how to use and extinguish road side flares. After the day was over one man said this, “I came here today because I had to, thinking this was a perfect waste of time. When I got into the cut-open bus and later the smoke-filled bus, I changed my mind. This was the best day ever.” 

Running this drill is such an awesome idea and it is one that is so helpful to all who not only run it but all who are able to experience it. Hoglund Transportation took part in one of these over 30 years ago and would love to do it again. To read the full story click here.

Thank You,

Haleigh

Don't Board the Bus!

Three mothers boarded school buses, three mothers are being charged in a court of law. The two mothers that boarded Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) buses are being charged with  trespassing and disorderly conduct. While the mother that boarded a Bibb County Public Schools bus and attached a child, (her cousin)  has to wear a sign that says, “I made a fool out of myself on a Bibb County Public Schools bus,” for a week at a school bus stop as well as wash a bus, serve five years on probation and pay $500 in attorney fees. 

The two woman who are being charged for boarding CMS buses, one with a bat, learned the hard way that boarding a school bus on route is illegal.  The mother who brought a bat on board boarded so she could talk to some students who were giving her daughter a hard time. Thankfully no one was hurt. The other mother's reason was not stated but when asked to leave the bus she started cursing and swearing at the driver. Their charges are stated above.

As for the final mother who boarded and repeatedly assaulted her 11 year old cousin, after an argument broke out between the girl and her own son. The woman also pulled the little girls hair. The fight was broken up by the driver and the woman's child. In court the woman plead guilty to battery and making terrorist threats. Her charges are stated above.

To read more click here!

Thank You,
Haleigh

On Managing Transportation, Part 2

On Monday, I wrote about this month's School Transportation News topics.  First, they highlight what challenges Transportation Directors face.  Second, they outline what makes a GREAT Transportation Director.

Monday's article focused on the challenges.  Today's post is about how they define a GREAT Transportation Director.  

Here at our company, there is not a single Transportation Director, but a Transportation Crew, including our Superintendent, Joe, Jami, me, and our support staffs.  For the record, I'm including how I think we're doing at each point.  Feel free to add your comments! :)

GREAT Transportation Directors:

1. Have great communication skills.
   Thumbs up.  We are able to communicate on many levels with many different groups of people, from the students and parents, to the tenth grade driver's ed students, to our drivers.
   
2. Have industry knowledge, studying regulations, best practices, district policies, and more, including knowing how to expertly do a wide range of tasks.
   Another thumbs up.  We work really hard to know the latest information.  Sometimes that information comes from YOU, our drivers and community. We work hard to do more than just maintain buses and plan routes, and  most often the expertise we use is found under our roof.
   
3. Focus on safety.
   Thumbs up.  It's the first thing that motivates every decision we make.
   
4. Are dedicated.
   Yup, thumbs up!  We work long and hard hours when we must in order to get the best possible result for the most people.
   
5. Have integration skills.
   I wouldn't give this one a thumbs down, but I'm not going with a thumbs up either.  I think we have trouble during certain seasons creating a good balance between each of the various tasks we do (for example, August labor is highly dedicated exclusively to routing).  That's why we took apart all the things we do this summer and redesigned how every aspect of our company is managed.  We won't be able to fully assess the success of our redesign until next summer.  I have high hopes.
6. Are flexible.
   Thumbs up for our relationship with the school district, staff, parents, and students.  Thumbs down for employee interaction, but I don't see that changing.  I believe we need to spend more time explaining why we are saying "no" to certain requests or why we insist on certain behaviors, but a fair amount of inflexibility is required to maintain high levels of service.
   
7. Focuses on students.
   Thumbs up.  Just remember that we focus on students in general, not specifically.  This is a mass transportation program, so we focus on what - collectively - is best for students.  That's not the same as focusing individually.
8. Pays attention to detail.
   Thumbs up.  Some might say obsessively so.  Still, I think we keep the big picture in view as well.
9. Has problem-solving skills.
   Two thumbs up!  We have solved some humdingers!  And done it within twenty-four hours.  Trust me, there is never a dull moment.
10. Has clarity.
    Thumbs up.  We focus first on our priorities:  SAFE, EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE transportation.  Then we strive for excellence.  Finally, we work hard to be kind and caring in our decision-making.
11. Acts on feedback.
    Thumbs up.  We listen to people who offer feedback.  If it's good, we share it with those affected.  If it's bad, we investigate and come up with a solution (see #9).
12. Is responsible.
    Thumbs up.  Each person listed by name has willing and loudly taken responsibility for mistakes and miscalculations.  What's more, we take responsibility for the people who share our work with us.  When questioned about a driver's behavior, my immediate response is first to apologize, and then to explain how we are going to address or fix the problem.
13. Thinks ahead.
    Thumbs up!  I think most people get afraid when they hear me say, "I have an idea!"  We are always thinking about next week, next month, and next year.  People who visit our office at various times will see our poster boards where we keep notes about "WHAT CAN BE BETTER NEXT YEAR?"  We make new ones every year during the various routing processes, and we look at them before we start those jobs in the subsequent year.  It's a good, if less than sophisticated, practice.
14. Has a servant's heart.
    Two thumbs up!!  We can offer many examples of pure and dedicated service.  But often acts of service are better left between the servant and the served.
15. Keeps learning.
    Thumbs up.  There are times when I recognize the magnitude of what we do and that the actions we take today can result in the loss of a student's life tomorrow.  That could be overwhelming.  Rather than wearing the responsibility as a burden, we focus on learning to be better every single day. 
16. Has an eye for talent.
    Thumbs up.  We can find the right people.  You can tell by looking at the people in key positions in the office, shop, and behind the wheels of the various vehicles.
17. Leads.
    Thumbs up.  "'Leadership in this sense is a broad term to encompass integrity, commitment to your people and your mission, and the ability to know your stuff, your people, and yourself,' says Grant Reppert of Gwinnett County Public Schools in Lawrenceville, Ga.  'This is why people are willing to trust and follow the direction and guidance you provide.'"
18. Knows and uses the Three Cs:  Compassion to listen to others.
19. Knows and uses the Three Cs:  Confidence to make tough decisions.
20. Knows and uses the Three Cs:  Courage to stand alone behind the decisions.
    We listen, we make tough decisions, we stand behind them.  I'm not giving the thumbs up just yet.  
21. Has heart.
    Thumbs up.  Our decisions affect people, and we need to think about the effects. 
22. Has a thick skin.
    Two thumbs up!  We are cussed, ridiculed, belittled, and bullied.  And it doesn't matter.  We believe in what we do, and we stand by it.  It helps that we stand as a team and not as a single person.  
23. Delegates wisely.
    Thumbs up.  We are getting good at using the right person's talents to achieve the right successes.  
24. Uses negotiation skills.
    Thumbs up.  
25. Is dependable.
    Thumbs up.  We have Joe available 24/7, in most cases.  We have checks and balances in place.  We have the right people in the right positions.  Those things create dependability.
26. Is willing to get down in the trenches.
    Thumbs up.  We drive, ride, clean the toilets...  There is no job that we leave unfinished because of a job title or status.  
27. Has business acumen.
    Thumbs up.  All of us have learned so much about business while going through some tough times!  And during those tough times, we've learned to trust and rely on each other and support staff.  So, our business will continue to grow and we will keep it healthy, even when it requires tough decision-making.
28. Embraces challenges.
    Thumbs up.  We get overwhelmed, but we don't stop working.  In fact, we laugh more the harder things get.  We've learned the best way to get through the toughest challenges is to share them with each other and look at the problem from more than one direction and with different sets of eyes and points of view.
29. Thinks about the "Big Picture."
    Thumbs up.  
30. Is determined.
    Thumbs up.  We are determined to be prepared at all times for even the most unexpected events.  We are determined that our staff will be kind, caring, and excellent.  We are determined to get the job done every day.
31. Networks.
    Thumbs up.  We belong to local networking organizations like the Monticello Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce.  We attend community events and relevant industry events.  We talk to people and listen to their stories.  
32. Follows-up.
    Thumbs up.  We have a rule that emails and voice mails need to be answered within hours, and, for the most part, everyone follows the rule.
33. Follows-through.
    Thumbs up.  We follow-through by communicating with drivers and letting parents know what's going on.  Sometimes, our best-laid plans for some of the non-route training and scheduling go awry because we are so very short-staffed.  We're working on a plan designed to keep our training schedule on schedule.  
34. Is accessible.
    Thumbs up, most of the time.  We try to always have at least one person available to both employees and customers, but it's a bigger challenge in late August and early September.  
35. Gets the facts.
    I think we are better at fact-collecting than ever before, and I'm tempted to give us the thumbs up.  I think we could be better at making sure we get the facts from all sides of an issue before reacting.  I'm glad this was part of the list; it gives us a new goal!
    
36. Is organized.
    Thumbs up!  Says Colleen Murphy (in STN), "Everything has its place, and either at the beginning or end of each day... you need to straighten up the piles and put what you can away.  We deal with so many items that are time- and safety-sensitive that not keeping good records will destroy your entire operation."  And, that, my friends, is why we have developed our Very Important Paper Box, which is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we did to reorganize our company this summer.
    
    
37. Empowers employees.
    Thumbs almost up.  I would have thought we had this one nailed, until an incident occurred on a bus that scared another employee who was riding along.  Had I been riding and a driver made an error that was a near-miss, I would have removed him from the seat, and driven the bus myself.  Every professional driver here should feel the same way.  It's about our students' safety and not at all about whose toes get trampled.  We're going to work on this.
    
38. Has a calm demeanor.
    Thumbs down overall.  We tend to get excited, and there is always the buzz of excited energy traveling the corridors of this building.  I think, though, that most often in serious circumstances we have more than a calm demeanor.  We have an innate sense of confidence in what we do that lends itself to professionally handling tense or emergency situations.  We're going to work on this one too.
    
39. Is patient.
    For everyone, that's a big thumbs up.  For me, it's a big thumbs down.  I really admire patience in people since it's a quality I rarely bring forth.  
    
40. Is fair.
    Two thumbs up!  We work really hard to be consistent and in most cases are successful.  We aren't perfect, and our decisions are subject to approval from a variety of sources, but we do try to always err on the side of consistency.
    
41. Gives credit.
    Thumbs up.
    
42. Is decisive.
    Thumbs up.  Says Michael Dallessandro of Niagara Wheatfield CSD in Niagra Falls, NY, "Often a decision has to be made, and there is not much time to do it since our buses are often 'moving' while they are awaiting an answer."
    
43. Is visible.
    Thumbs up.  You see us throughout the day, at the various school sites, and - sometimes - on the streets observing.  
    
44. Is creative.
    Thumbs up.  We do really cool and creative stuff to make things work for people.  
    
45. Is consistent.
    Thumbs up up up!  See #40.
    
46. Is positive.
    Thumbs up, most of the time.  We need a plan to keep things positive when we're feeling the burden of the workload.  We have some ideas to put into play next year...
    
47. Has a sense of direction.
    Thumbs up.  We know where things are and know where to look when we don't.  And we don't just trust a map to tell us where things are;  we go look.
    
48. Is honest.
    Thumbs up.  We've shared hard things with our employees and our school administration.  It's always been the right choice to be forthright.  
    
49. Has high ethical standards.
    Thumbs up.  We work really hard to do the right things all the time for the most people, and we never try to circumvent a regulation, law, rule, or policy.  And we have earned trust and respect for those efforts.  We will maintain high ethical standards as long as we stay in business.
    
50. Is involved in the community.
    We try to do as much as we can for kids.  Through our membership in the Chamber of Commerce, we plan to participate in more events we didn't even know about prior to joining (what a great resource!).  We're looking forward to those new and exciting events in our very own community. 

After this article posts, bus drivers will have an assignment to read and comment on the article.  We won't hide any posts, so check back to see what the people who work here think about the article and our self-assessment.

Safe driving!
Kari

On Managing Transportation, Part 1

The latest issue of my favorite industry magazine, School Bus Fleet, contains an in-depth article about the challenges faced by Transportation Directors (TDs) and focuses on what makes a great TD.

In an earlier blogpost, I found a comment by an employee in which she wondered what it was like to be managing transportation rather than driving a school bus, so I thought I'd share some highlights of the articles.

This article is a great summary of input received by TDs across the country, and mirrors our own experience.  The magazine offered a survey for TDs to complete, and the majority of responders were companies/school districts our size or smaller.

After listing the concern and the percentage of responders who chose it, I offer commentary comparing it to our own experience:

1. Budget/Funding Issues (21.7%)
   This is, clearly, our biggest issue in Monticello.
   
2. Driver Recruitment/Retention (18%)
   I have personally not driven this often in years.  We would benefit from a few more quality drivers.
   
3. Student Behavior (9%)
   While I would not put this quite so high on the list, I would include it for the distraction factor it offers to bus drivers, and the danger that driver distraction offers to students.
   
4. Maintaining Service Level (6.3%)
   We have an exceptional level of service, and are one of the few companies that can honestly state we have never missed a route.  Not once in sixty-five years.  That's rare.  It IS tough to maintain a solid service level when there is a driver shortage, so this is definitely on our list.
   
5. Personnel Issues (5.3%)
   Just when I think I've heard it all, a driver will do something that disproves my conviction that things can't get any more strange.  Personnel Issues, and the things facing people in their private lives, are of great concern.
   
6. Driver Absenteeism (4.2%)
   I might actually move this one up the list to #3.  I regularly fail to understand why there is so much absenteeism when there are a mere 174 days of work, and there is a gap between routes.  I believe I have written many, many times the same statement:  "Come to work!"
   
7. Routing/Scheduling (3.7%)
   Creating routes that meet all the criteria for safe routes while meeting parent demands can be stressful, especially when parents hold us accountable for things beyond our control, like what the law requires in relation to transportation (for example, the law only allows transportation to and from home or daycare, and that means the bus isn't available for homework dates, rides to and from places of employment, or sleepovers/birthday parties).
   
8. Bus/Equipment Replacement (3.7%)
   It's tough to plan to replace buses and equipment when the budget is constantly under fire and when the cost of fuel is skyrocketing.  When all the money goes in the fuel tank...
   
9. School/Parent Needs (3.2%)
   We discuss this frequently in group settings.  Suffice it to say that parents are very demanding!  They can also be mildly abusive and completely offensive.  However, this year I've heard more parents being thankful and praising drivers and our company for dedicated and thorough service.  Keep up the good work!
   
10. Homeless Transportation (3.2%)
    The needs for homeless student transportation is on the rise.  In Minnesota, a student whose family becomes homeless deserves a ride to his or her regular school with his or her usual friends.  This attempt to create stability for students in unstable circumstances is noble -- but difficult to manage.  There is no distance rule.  And the "three-days to provide transportation" is also non-existent; these homeless students are guaranteed a ride the very next day.
    
11. Special-Needs Transportation (3.2%)
    Special-needs transportation is more labor-intensive than most other kinds of transportation and requires unique individuals to serve as drivers and monitors.  It can be stressful to manage all the unique students and student needs, but we feel like we provide excellent service to our most vulnerable students because we believe in the people behind the wheel.

The only thing I would add to the list, and it probably never would have appeared on a national survey, is that we often work with people who live in this community with us and attend the same churches, shop at the same grocery stores, attend entertainment at the same local establishments, and socialize in the same environments.  That can make it tough to be "bosses" at times.  

The same is true of our customers, which can make it tough to say "no" to special requests, or to make the student discipline call.  We handle those things best by creating policies to manage the situations instead of trying to manage people.

On Thursday, I will post a summary of what constitutes "Great Transportation Directors" according to School Bus Fleet magazine.  Bet you can't wait!

Safe Driving!

Kari