W.I.S.D.

TRANSPORTATION
DEPARTMENT
Employee Handbook

2014-2015
WHITEHOUSE ISD
104 Wildcat Dr. Whitehouse, TX 75791 PH: 903-839-5570 FAX: 903-839-5571
2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR
1 UPDATED 10/3/2014


GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES

You drive a big yellow banner that markets Whitehouse ISD to the public daily. The eyes of anyone that can see you are
evaluating you. Regardless of whether they are a part of the Whitehouse ISD community or not, they will watch you to see if
you are driving the bus properly. They know where you work and what your bus number is and they will call if you are not
driving safely. You are REQUIRED to do everything properly and safely when you are behind the wheel of a Whitehouse ISD
school bus or other vehicle.

Most of our students ride the bus twice a day. A friendly, up-beat bus driver brightens their long day considerably, and will contribute
to warm memories of their school days for years to come. That is why we strive to staff our Transportation Department with pleasant
and capable people. This section of your Employee Handbook will inform you of additional policies for your specific job as a bus
driver.

Listed below are a few of the requirements of your job as a driver. You must:

Be friendlytry to greet each child with a smile
Be dependable and punctual. Punctuality is of the utmost importance when running a route. (On bad weather days this is
especially important).
Be fair and honest
Demonstrate respect for all students, regardless of age, race, color, creed, or economic status
Demonstrate a positive, professional image at all times.
No open-toed shoes allowed.
No tank-tops allowed.
Work in a cooperative manner with students, parents, and school personnel.
Like children, enjoy working with them, and be courteous to them at all times
Practice good personal hygiene and professionalism.
Keep your CDL Bus Driver credentials (Bus Driver Certification, DOT Physical, and Drivers License with Passenger &
School Bus endorsements) current and up to date and on your person at all times.
Maintain and keep a current and accurate route description.
Maintain and keep a current seating chart of students on the bus.
You are required by law to wear your seat belts at all times while the bus is in operation.


Listed below are a few of the requirements of your job as a monitor. You must:

Be friendlytry to greet each child with a smile
Be dependable and punctual. Punctuality is of the utmost importance when running a route. (on bad weather days this is
especially important) The driver will determine the time of departure from the bus barn in the mornings and afternoons;
you must scan in 5 minutes before that time. If you are not on the bus at the designated time of departure, then the bus
driver will proceed with the route. Three documentations (scanning in) of late and missing the bus route will be reason
for dismissal.
Be fair and honest
You will assist students getting on and off of the bus.
You will assist each student to their seat and make sure he/she is sitting properly.
You will need to sit where you can have a good view of the students, especially those with behavior problems.
Assist students in remaining quiet for duration of route.
Will not allow students to stand up until the bus comes to a complete stop.
Demonstrate respect for all students, regardless of age, race, color, creed, or economic status
Demonstrate a positive, professional image at all times.
No open-toed shoes allowed.
No tank-tops allowed.
Work in a cooperative manner with students, parents, and school personnel
Like children, enjoy working with them, and be courteous to them at all times
Practice good personal hygiene and professionalism.
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2 UPDATED 10/3/2014





In addition to the above requirements, the following qualifications are essential for bus drivers. You must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Be able to follow directions, both oral and written
Have a CDL driver's license with school bus, passenger and air brake endorsements attached.
Have an acceptable driving record as determined by a drivers license record check annually.
Have successfully completed the School Bus Drivers Training Course



WHITEHOUSE ISD
THE DRIVERS IMAGE

The bus driver sets the educational tone of the day for students. You are often the First and Last contact the student has with the
school each day. As they arrive home, the first news many parents hear about their children's day is what happened on the bus.

Additionally, a school bus is a moving yellow and black sign, thirty-five feet long and eight feet wide, down our communitys
highways each morning and afternoon. Some citizens in the community have no contact with the local school district other than
observing our buses as they travel across our district each weekday. Your attitude about your job is highly visible to your passengers
AND other members of our community. You should create a favorable image of the school district by:

Conscientiously obeying rules governing driverssetting a good example creates respect

Practicing courtesy on the highway and in the bus

Driving a clean busthe vehicle may not be new, but must be clean, well kept, and in good mechanical condition



WHITEHOUSE ISD
THE DRIVER, MONITOR AND STUDENTS

The driver/monitor must maintain good student control on the bus. This is critically important from a safety standpoint. A well-
regulated and calm environment on the bus also contributes greatly to the students, and your own peace of mind and general mood
throughout the day. Some principles for maintaining good student behavior are:

You should clearly understand your responsibilities, and all policies and regulations.
Identify yourself as a staff member of the school system.
Explain to the students at the beginning of school term the rules which govern their conduct.
Have the students address you by your proper name, such as Mr. Brown. Address students by their proper name also.
Get acquainted with the students and their parents. Take a personal interest in each student.
Listen and observe carefully for situations that may lead to trouble.
When conditions which may cause trouble are found, correct them as soon as possible.
It is MANDATORY to assign seats. This is a very effective control tool, and in cases of vandalism aids in the
investigation. Assigned seating is also critical in the event of an accident.
A seating chart must be turned in by week 3 and then an updated chart must be submitted by the last driving day of each
month of the school year.
A disobedient student on the bus may also be disobedient in the classroom. A talk with the principal may give insight
into a problem situation.
Do not humiliate a disruptive child. A personal discussion may better help you solve behavior problems.
A turn by turn route description must be submitted by week 3 and then any time afterward when significant changes occur
on the route. ***Special needs routes should be updated regularly
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The THREE Fs when dealing with students are:
Be FRIENDLY not familiar.
Be FIRM not unduly strict.
Be FAIR not partial.


WHITEHOUSE ISD
THE DRIVER, MONITOR AND PARENTS

Each day, the parents of our community entrust their children to our care. You should help create a feeling of security in the minds of
these parents by establishing and maintaining safe procedures and effective student control on your bus. Be friendly, cooperative, and
communicative with parents. Avoid confrontations:

NEVER argue with a parent
NEVER lose your temper when discussing matters with a parent
NEVER attempt to discuss or handle a student problem through the open door of the bus

Angry confrontations with parents should be avoided at all costs. Beside the fact that this troubles observing students greatly, and may
seriously undermine your authority on your bus, such incidents hurt our Districts reputation, and may even lead to legal problems.
Refer any potentially confrontational situations to your supervisor immediately.


THE DRIVER/MONITOR AND OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL

You should view yourself as a member of the students educational team. With this concept in mind, it is extremely important that
cooperation and mutual respect exist between all members of the school team. You should avoid criticizing other school personnel
to students, parents, other drivers, or in public.

WORK SCHEDULES AND ABSENCES

The school is in operation 177 days during the year. You are EXPECTED to work every day that the students are in school. You may
be required to drive for additional school functions such as field trips, games, and other extra-curricular events. Additional days of
work may be required. These days may be prior to the regular opening of school, at the end of regular school year, or any other day as
assigned by the Supervisor or Director.

Notify your immediate supervisor directly (not through a second party) in a timely manner
in the event that you would need to be absent from your duties so that a substitute could
be secured in your absence. You must call Kevin Whitman @ (903) 714-4139. Remember,
you accepted the responsibility for your route!


TIME CLOCK AND BADGE

The outside clock is for after hours clocking in and out. Please use the inside clock for daily clocking in and out. You are paid
by the hour and it is not acceptable to be clocked in more than 15 minutes prior to route time, this allows time for your pre-trip. In
addition be sure to clock out no later than 15 minutes after you are off of your bus. You will also clock in and out for any
Transportation or District meetings and any extracurricular trips. You must scan in/out for all of the different job responsibilities that
you have. For example; if you are a driver and work in another capacity in the district such as cafeteria, then you would need to scan
in as a driver/monitor, out as a driver/monitor and then in as your other capacity and out as your other capacity and then in again as
a driver/monitor and then out again at the end of that shift. Submit your time sheets weekly. It is your responsibility to keep up with
your time.

It is imperative that you keep you badge with your at all times. This identifies you as a School District Employee.


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LINE OF AUTHORITY

WISDS Open Door Policy is outlined in the general Employee Handbook. We encourage open communication between our
employees and management, and we want you to feel comfortable approaching any member of management with ideas, questions,
problems, or concerns. In order to effectively present such issues, you may need to know the recognized chain of command.
For our Transportation Department, the line of authority is: Bus Driver/monitor Transportation Director Assistant
Superintendent Superintendent WISD Board of Education.


RESIGNATION

If you wish to resign, we ask that you give us a minimum of ten days written notice.


SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL GUIDLINES

The safety of your passengers is the most important aspect of your job. In addition to the safety and operational guidelines outlined in
the general Employee Handbook and in the Texas School Bus Drivers Training Course, WISD has implemented the following rules
which you MUST also abide by:

SAFETY

1. Check your bus after EVERY route for SLEEPERS.
2. Inspect your vehicle daily with your pre and post trips. Be thorough. This is a requirement of the U.S.
Department of Transportation. Accidents or destruction of property from failure to comply are considered
negligence. Report all needed repairs on the DVIR form as soon as possible. Defect reports are to be filled out
and signed by the driver.
3. Drive friendly. Avoid blocking traffic at route stops, observe all traffic laws, and never argue right-of-way.
4. Follow the posted speed limits while operating your bus. Speed limits on all WISD facilities are 10 miles per
hour.
5. NEVER drive with the entrance door open.
6. Avoid backing a school bus unless required to do so in the performance of your route, or during parking on the
bus lot. The majority of school bus accidents occur during backing, and such accidents maybe considered an act
of negligence on the part of the driver.
7. AVOID allowing children to cross in front of the school bus, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
8. Report all accidents to the Transportation Office IMMEDIATELY, and complete the required reports as
quickly as possible. Discuss an accident only with WISD officials and/or the investigating policeman. An
accident is defined as any occurrence in which damage to your bus (or any other vehicle or object) is sustained,
or during which a personal injury is incurred.
9. Remain alert for all inclement weather announcements and/or developments.
10. The district may close schools because of bad weather or emergency conditions. When such conditions exist, the
Superintendent will make the official decision concerning the closing of the districts facilities. When it becomes
necessary to open late or to release students early, the following radio and television stations will be notified by
school officials in addition to receiving an automated telephone message from Alert Now.
KTBB AM 600, www.ktbb.com KOOI Sunny 106.5, www.kooi.com
KNUE 101.5 FM, www.knue.com KLTV 7, www.kltv.com
KETK 56, www.ketknbc.com CBS 19, www.cbs19.tv
11. Stop for all railroad crossings, using the prescribed procedure.
12. Current state law prohibits a bus from moving while a child is standing. All children must be seated before
moving your bus.
13. Place the bus in neutral and apply the parking break at every loading and unloading stop as well as all
railroad crossings.
14. Once a year it is a state requirement for you to perform an emergency bus evacuation drill. Upon completion of
the drill you will need to fill out a form stating the date it was completed. These forms are available in the
transportation office.
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RADIO PROCEDURES

WISD has implemented the following Radio Procedure Codes that must be followed. They are for your safety as well as the
students.
10-4 OK message received
10-7 Out of service
10-8 In service
10-20 My location
10-50 Traffic Accident at:
10-350 Weapon on board
10-OO7 Ten double O = Hijacker on board 7 no response needed


WHITEHOUSE ISD

SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES CONTINUED
CELL PHONE USAGE

As per the Texas State Law all wireless communication devices usage for school bus drivers is PROHIBITED. Use of cell phones,
especially in school zones, could result in termination. In the event of an emergency you must pull off of the roadway to use the cell
phone.

OPERATIONS

1. Be punctual. On your route, you should arrive at the same place at approximately the same time every day.
Both students and parents should be able to depend on your arrival at a given time to schedule their days
accordingly.
2. Transport authorized riders ONLY (except when required in emergency situations). Authorized riders: eligible
bus students assigned to your bus, trip sponsors and/or chaperones, supervisory personnel, and others assigned
and/or approved by the Transportation Office. Others may not be covered by the Districts insurance program,
and to transport them could put you and the District in an unfavorable liability position.
3. Follow your route description, and avoid unauthorized stops, delays, and/or detours. Only the
Transportation Director is authorized to make changed on route descriptions. They are approved by, and are on
file with the Texas Education Agency.
4. AVOID allowing children to cross in front of the school bus, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
5. Complete all reports, repair requests, extra duty assignments, authorized route changes and seating charts, etc. in
a timely and professional manner.
6. Return bus keys after completion of routes or trips DAILY!
7. Check your mail boxes after each route.
8. Return all phone calls to parents. This is critical!
9. Close the windows and roof hatches on your bus when it is not in use. Your passengers would not appreciate
riding on a wet seat. Release the door pressure so the loading doors will easily close and open again by hand.
10. Fuel: When your tank is at or less hang your keys on the needing fuel section found at the bottom of the key
box. Do not park your bus at the fuel island. Always park your bus in the assigned parking spot. Our fueling
department will make every effort to fuel your bus in a timely manner. If you leave your bus with less than
enough fuel to make your route and we are unable to fuel it, you will be placed in a sub bus/vehicle.
11. Enter the office or garage only when absolutely necessary. Avoid interrupting other employees duties. See
attachments for authorized safety zones. Do not go under or over the safety chains at roll up doors.
12. Keep your bus clean, and sweep it daily. Failure to do so may result in suspension and/or termination.
13. Sweep sub buses after use. Failure to do so may result in suspension and/or termination
14. Do not use the school bus for personal purposes. This includes grocery shopping, field trips for church groups,
topping by a friends house or a parents house to talk, etc.
15. You are accountable for all mileage incurred on your bus.
16. PARKING: See map for authorized parking spaces. These spots are located in the parking lot next to the
administration building, and along the fence behind Dairy Queen. Do not pull the buses or your personal
vehicles up to the Bus Barn. Do not block designated parking spots.
17. Failure to plan on your part does not constitute an emergency on our part.

2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR
6 UPDATED 10/3/2014

PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS

1. Daily You are required to complete and turn in DAILY.
a. The WHITE page from DVIR log books turned into Sondras inbox.
b. If there is any issue with your bus needing attention, turn the WHITE copy from the DVIR log book
into the mechanics inbox. This is a write up. In the event that something is not working correctly on
your bus, it is your responsibility to complete and turn in the WHITE repair order form to the
Mechanics box immediately.
c. The YELLOW copy stays on the bus in the book. DO NOT TEAR THIS PAGE OUT.
d. Seating Charts If there are any changes you will be required to give the Transportation Office an
updated copy. It is State Law that you keep a copy of your seating chart on your bus and in the
Transportation Office at all times.
e. Check your boxes and turn in your keys daily!
f. It is your responsibility to sweep and clean your bus on a daily basis.

2. Oct. Feb. - First Wednesday of the Month Attendance October through February you are required to take
attendance on both the morning and afternoon routes on the Texas Roster of Eligible Riders forms. The
completed forms must be turned in to the Transportation office in a timely manner.
3. Transportation Requests In the event you drive a field trip or athletic event you must turn in the completed
Transportation Request with signature, mileage and departure and arrival times. These are used for payroll.
You must sign out your set of keys. You must fill out the DVIR book that is in the vehicle you are driving and
turn in the packet assigned to your trip with the DVIR white copy.




WHITEHOUSE ISD

SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES CONTINUED

STUDENT RELATIONS


1. Avoid fraternization, undue familiarity, or unnecessary touching of your students. Do not compromise your moral
reputation.
2. Avoid acts of insubordination, irresponsible behavior, negligence, or lack of concern for the safety, well-being, or
feelings of your riders. Remember to set a good example of adult behavior.
3. Wear appropriate clothing. Do not wear clothing that is revealing, suggestive, vulgar, or designed to draw attention to
particular body parts. Bathe and use deodorant daily. Brush your teeth. No facial piercing. No tank tops. No open
toed shoes.
4. It is MANDATORY to establish and maintain a current seating chart for each student on your bus. File a copy with
the Transportation Director. Must be turned in by week 3 and then on the last driving day of each month of the school
year.
5. Report students misconduct, in writing, on the Bus Conduct Report to the Transportation Office.
6. Load and unload your students in the prescribed manner, and only at authorized stops. Special Education riders will
be assisted across the street by the monitor when necessary, and kindergarten and lower elementary students by the
driver on regular routes. Do not unload any students prior to 7:20 am at any campus.
7. Do not allow students to remain on the bus after arriving at their assigned campus.










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Discipline Management Techniques

Discipline shall be designed to improve conduct and to encourage students to adhere to their responsibilities as
members of the school community. Disciplinary action shall draw on the professional judgment of teachers and
administrators and on a range of discipline management techniques. Discipline shall be correlated to the
seriousness of the offense, the students age and grade level, the frequency of misbehavior, the students
attitude, the effect of the misconduct on the school environment, and statutory requirements.

Because of these factors, discipline for a particular offense, including misconduct in a district vehicle owned or
operated by the district, unless otherwise specified by law, may bring into consideration varying techniques and
responses.

Since the districts primary responsibility in transporting students in district vehicles is to do so as safely as
possible, the operator of the vehicle must focus on driving and not have his or her attention distracted by student
misbehavior. Therefore, when appropriate disciplinary management techniques fail to improve student behavior
or when specific misconduct warrants immediate removal, the principal may restrict or revoke a students
transportation privileges, in accordance with law.


WISD Transportation Department

Discipline Management for
Grades Pre-K through 12



Students failing to follow their responsibilities, as a WISD bus rider will be subject to the following:


Violations will be classified as:


Level I. Minor Violations - the following incomplete list gives examples of minor violations.

A. Not remaining in assigned seat
B. Eating or drinking on the bus
C. Littering
D. Loud talking or screaming, disruptive behavior
E. Placing a body part (hand, arm, head, etc.) on the outside of the bus
F. Failure to load or unload in an orderly manner, etc.
G. Being disrespectful to others or their property or bus property



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Consequences of committing a Minor Violation are as follows:

1
st
Offense - Documented warning to student from bus driver or school official

2
nd
Offense - 1st written discipline report - Manager of Bus Discipline discretion including up to
3 days off the bus.

3
rd
Offense - 2nd written discipline report loss of bus riding privilege for up to 5 days.

4
th
Offense -3rd written discipline report - loss of bus riding privilege for up to 9 days

5
th
Offense - and any subsequent offense - 4th written discipline report - loss of bus riding privilege
for up to the remainder of the school year.


Level II. Intermediate Violations - the following incomplete list gives examples of intermediate violations.

A. Hanging out of a window
B. Throwing/shooting of any object
C. Verbal Physical aggression against any person
D. Vandalism to bus
E. Holding onto/or attempting to hold onto any portion of the exterior of the bus
F. Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency door/tampering with bus equipment
G. Public displays of affection
H. Other offences as reported by the driver.
I. Wrestling
J. Pinching, biting, etc.
K. Refusing to obey the bus driver after being warned of consequences.


Consequences of committing an intermediate Violation are as follows:


1
st
Offense - 1st written discipline report - Manager of Bus Discipline discretion including up to
3 days off the bus
2
nd
Offense - 2nd written discipline report - loss of bus riding privilege for up to 5 days.

3
rd
Offense - 3rd written discipline report - loss of bus riding privilege for up to 9 days

4
th
Offense - and any subsequent offense- 4th written discipline report - loss of bus riding
privileges for up to the remainder of the school year.
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Level III. Serious violations - the following incomplete list gives examples of serious violations.

A. Use of profanity
B. Spitting on other students
C. Lighting of matches, lighters or any flammable object or substance
D. Cursing other students
E. Tobacco use or other tobacco like products including electronic smoking devices
F. Use of indecent gestures toward other students
G. Fighting
H. Physically harming another student

Consequences of committing a serious violation are as follows:

1
st
offense - loss of bus riding privilege for up to 15 days. No prior warning needed.
2
nd
offense - and any subsequent offense loss of bus riding privileges for up to the remainder of the school year.


Note: At any level of offense any consequence may be combined with other
campus discipline as deemed appropriate by the campus Administration and/or Manager of Bus Discipline.

The final decision for consequences will be determined by the Manager of Bus Discipline and/or the Campus
Administrator.


Level IV. Major violations - the following incomplete list gives examples of major violations.

A. Possession or use of a firearm, illegal knife, or other weapon on a bus;
B. Possession or use of alcohol, illegal drug or drug paraphernalia on the bus;
C. Vandalism
D. Use of profanity, cursing, or obscene gestures to persons other than students;
E. Threatening or causing any bodily harm to a bus driver or any school official;
F. Any reckless action that could cause harm to the normal safe operation of the bus;



**The consequences for a major offense violation is the IMMEDIATE REMOVAL of the bus rider from riding
WISD bus for up to the REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, and/or other disciplinary action as deemed
appropriate by the school administration.

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Fighting / Assault

Students fighting or committing an act of assault on another will not be considered to have been engaged in a
major offense. Fighting or assault is not condoned by the district and Pre K-5 grade students found committing
these acts will be administered immediate removal from riding a WISD bus for a period of up to fifteen (15)
school days. A 6-12 grade student will be removed from the bus for up to thirty (30) days. This offense will
count on the cumulative total of a students minor offenses. If a student should commit the offense of fighting or
assault a second time during the school year, the student shall lose riding privileges for the remainder of the
school year. Section A under the Special Notes section of this document will apply to this section.



SPECIAL NOTE

The decision of the Campus Administrator and/or the Manager of Bus Discipline shall be final in matters
concerning student discipline on WISD buses. An appellate challenge can be requested by parent or
transportation employee if sufficient written evidence is raised concerning the Campus Administrators and/or
the Manager of Bus Discipline failure to follow this policy. Appeals can only be requested on cases whereby a
student is removed from riding privileges for 15 days or more discretionary removal, 30 days or more for
removal for a major offense. No appeal will be considered that is based on leniency, personal favor or exception
to the attached stated rules. All appeals must be received by the Superintendent of Schools in writing within
seven (7) days of parent notification. Appeal requested after this seven (7) day time period will not be heard.


Bullying

See district policy FFI (local)





Students with Disabilities

The discipline of students with disabilities is subject to applicable state and federal law in addition to the
Student Code of Conduct. To the extent any conflict exists, state and/or federal law shall prevail.

In accordance with the Education Code, a student who is enrolled in a special education program may not be
disciplined for conduct meeting the definition of bullying, harassment, or making hit lists (see glossary) until an
ARD committee meeting has been held to review the conduct.
In deciding whether to order suspension, DAEP placement, or expulsion, regardless of whether the action is
mandatory or discretionary, the district shall take into consideration a disability that substantially impairs the
students capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the students conduct.




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FAILURE TO ABIDE BY ANY OR ALL OF THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL
GUIDELINES IN THIS HANDBOOK OR ANY OTHER POLICIES, PROCEDURES OR DIRECTIVES MAY LEAD TO
DISCIPLINE ACTION UP TO AND INCLUDING TERMINATION.


WHITEHOUSE ISD


GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
Transportation Handbook


RETURN THIS SHEET TO THE TRANSPORTATION OFFICE.


I have received the WHITEHOUSE I.S.D. Transportation Handbook. I have also read and understand all of the general requirements
and policies contained in the handbook and know that I am responsible for the contents therein.




Print Name Signature Date