Here we come letter Two weeks prior to visit, District will receive a “here we come letter”. A list of items will accompany the letter, these items SDE will need access to.

List of Items Payroll register and time sheets Vendor files A record, tracking mileage, coding methodology. Buses need to be available with technician to assist. Maintenance records Pre trip/post trip, child check

Bus driver personnel files and training records. Transportation Policy. Safety Busing with measurement device and date of board approval. List of bus routes, stops and map.

Contracted District will also need Account detail, plus matching invoices with trip mileage.

SDE in the District SDE will need contact person, Transportation Supervisor, or designee. Need introduction to staff contact in regard to best fit for training files and shop. Need to set up time with financial contact for Audit. Need to set up time for exit interview, if desired. (Could include, Superintendent, Transportation Director, Board chair, Contractor)

Order of item varies: Mileage: contact with staff that performs process: Look for: A. Route mileage »B. Extra C/ Field »C. Fuel »D. Training »E. Maintenance »F. Shuttle/ R and NR Resource: Idaho Code SISBO page 57 #6

Buses Contact with technician for assistance : Select 25% of Buses. Check for deficiencies : Recourse: Idaho Code SISBO page 5. Idaho School Bus Withdrawal From Service Standards. (A compliance rating will be attached to the deficiencies. A rating of 70% or less will result in an “ corrective action” plan.) Idaho Code,

Bus Maintenance Files Technician to assist: If on I bus, fill in dates, then move to hard copy. Mirror buses selected. 60 day/ required date and signature. Annual/ required State Form, date and signature. Resource: Idaho Code SISBO page 5. (A compliance rating will be attached. A rating of 70% or less will result in an “ corrective action” plan.) Idaho Code,

Pre-trip Post Trip Child Check Resource: SISBO page 52 G. A. Federal Motor Carrier #17. Idaho Commercial Drivers License Manual Idaho School Bus Driver Training Curriculum

Idaho Commercial Drivers License Manual Pre-trip and Post-trip Inspection Pre-trip: Since the State of Idaho has adopted the FMSCR for school bus operations, you must perform a pre-trip safety inspection of your bus at the beginning of each workday/shift and prepare a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report. You must review the last driver vehicle inspection report at the beginning of your shift to ensure any items listed on the last report that affect the safety of the bus have been repaired or were found to be unnecessary by the mechanic performing the repairs. The mechanic must certify the repairs were performed by placing his/her signature on the original inspection report. You must sign the same report certifying you have reviewed the report and accept the bus. You do not have to sign a report from the previous driver if no defects or deficiencies were noted. 49 CFR part , ,

Idaho Commercial Drivers License Manual Pre-trip and Post-trip Inspection Post-trip: You must perform a post-trip safety inspection of your bus at the end of each shift, and you must prepare a written inspection report on each bus operated. You must identify the bus(s) you operated and list any defect or deficiency that would affect the safe operation of the bus that would cause it to suffer a mechanical breakdown. You must also prepare a written report if no equipment defect or deficiency is found. In all instances, you must sign the report. The Driver’s Inspection Report notifies your company of the condition of the bus and identifies any defects or deficiencies found that would make the bus unsafe or cause it to break down. Depending on your company’s policy regarding the distribution of the inspection report, if possible, you should leave a copy of the inspection report in the bus for at least a day so it can be reviewed by the next driver.

Pre-Trip/ Post-trip Idaho Commercial Drivers license manual: During your inspection of the bus, you should walk both through and around the vehicle looking for the following: Articles left on the bus. Sleeping students. Open windows and doors. Mechanical/operational problems with the bus, with special attention to items that are unique to school buses mirror systems, flashing warning lamps and stop signal arms. Damage and/or vandalism. Resource:

Pre-trip/ Post-trip Idaho School Bus Drivers Training: Classroom Curriculum: Section three: Required reading with test. Idaho School Bus Drivers Training: Behind the Wheel Curriculum: Page 8 through 30. :

Child Check Idaho Commercial Drivers license manual: During your inspection of the bus, you should walk both through and around the vehicle looking for the following: Articles left on the bus. Sleeping students. Resource:

NOTE: Drivers are responsible for conducting a walk through inspection of the school bus following drop-offs at each school and after the last delivery on each run segment. Prior to departing the bus for any length of time, a walkthrough inspection must be conducted. The purpose of the walk-through inspection is to check on and under the seats for sleeping or hiding students and to identify any items that may have been dropped or left aboard the bus. Warning flag systems and/or electronic means may be used. Written policies and procedures should be in place for post-trip and post-run segment checks. Resource: National School Transportation Specifications & procedures, May 2010, pg. 144

Bus Driver Files Contact with trainer for assistance : Check for required documentation: A.Application B.Physical C.Training file D.Drivers license E.Driving record F.Evaluation G.Emergency evacuation Resource: SISBO page (A compliance rating will be attached. A rating of 70% or less will result in an “ corrective action” plan.) Idaho Code,

Application Application to drive school bus. With signature and date. Resource: Idaho Code

PHYSICAL Copy of current original physical examination with applicable waivers. Medical examiners certificate. Resource: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (part 381 and 383). Idaho Code, SISBO page 48

Medical examiners certificate/ example

TRAINING FILE All experienced school bus drivers will complete at least ten (10) hours refresher school bus driver training each fiscal school year. At least three (3) hours of pre-service training shall be provided before school begins in the fall. In addition, at least three (3) in-service training sessions shall be provided during the school year utilizing, at a minimum, thirty (30) minutes, topic specific and documented, training blocks. Resource: SISBO page 51 Idaho Code,

DRIVERS LICENSE Copy of current commercial drivers license, showing endorsements. Resource: Idaho Code Example:

Driving record Copy of annual driving record check in compliance with CDL licensing requirements. The district shall request each fiscal year a driving record check report from the Idaho (or neighboring state or both states, as applicable) State Transportation Department, Motor Vehicles Division, for those individuals who are going to drive a school bus during the current fiscal school year. (shall be dated between July 1 and the first day of school) Resource: SISBO page 52, Idaho Code

Driver Evaluation SDE will accept either: Driver Evaluation/ State check ride form. SDE, School Bus driver skills test/Road test. (new drivers shall have a driver evaluation before being allowed to drive a bus loaded with students.) SISBO page 52. Both, requiring signatures and date. Resouce: SISBO page 52 and Behind the Wheel Curriculum

Emergency Evacuations One each semester: SDE will accept either: District or contractor form showing instruction and drill, Drivers signature with date. Extra Curricular/Field form showing instruction and drill, Drivers signature with date. (can be used for only one semester). Classroom Curriculum form showing instruction and practical, ( new drivers only) signed and dated. (new drivers should perform an emergency evacuation practical before being allowed to drive a bus loaded with students.) CDL manual, Resource: SISBO page 47, CDL manual 10-3.

Transportation Policies Resource: Idaho Code thru , SISBO page 47. A. Operations B. Training: Idaho Code C. Evaluation of drivers and routes. D. Accidents and other transportation problems. E. Supervision at schools. F. Evacuation instruction and drills. G. Student Management: Idaho Code , SISBO page 54. H. Bus Drivers, duties and responsibilities: Idaho Code , , SISBO page 52

Safety Busing Required: Policy Rating instrument Break off point Board date, August Ad hoc committee Last review ( every three years) Resource: Idaho Code , , SISBO page 58. SDE measurement model.

Route/ Check Ride SDE will need to schedule ride along, usually mirroring buses that are done, adding in additional for spares done. Monitor Pre-trip/ Post trip. Driver will present medical examiners card, Drivers License.

Route/ Check Ride 12 Foot rule/SISBO page, 53 G,j. Amber Lights, 200 feet prior to stop/ Idaho Code , , SISBO page 53 G,g. Stop prior to red loading lights/ Idaho Code , SISBO page 53 G,g. 300 feet visibility/ Idaho Code , SISBO page 53 G,g. Students do not cross prior to stop/ Idaho Code ,

Intersections not blocked. SISBO page 53 G,g. Idaho Code Stops to close together. Idaho Code , SISBO page 53 G,g. Unsafe stops. Idaho Code , SISBO page 53 G,g and h. No illegal use of Loading Lights, Idaho Code ,

Driving skills, Idaho Code 49.Federal Motor Carrier Rules, SISBO. Passengers seated, SISBO page 53 G,f. Student rapport and discipline, SISBO page 54 H.

Signal to cross Use a consistent Safe Crossing Signal when it’s safe for the child to cross, pointing in the direction you want the child to walk. All bus drivers in your operation should use the same Safe Crossing hand signal, and all children should be trained about what it means./ Resource: Classroom Curriculum “ Best practices for Loading and Unloading”. Upon your signal (i.e., hand motion from right to left), the students should: Resource: Idaho Commercial Drivers manual/ SDE will accept only a “ hand signal”.

Eye Contact Eye contact between driver and student must be established before the student begins to cross. Teach children the concept “I See You, You See Me.” Resource: Idaho School Bus Driver Classroom Curriculum, “Best practices for loading and unloading”.

Danger Signal Teach children a consistent Danger Signal so they know what to do if a motorist fails to stop for your stopped bus. All drivers in the fleet should teach students the same signal. If the bus driver honks the horn while the child is crossing, it means “return to the side of the road you started from at once! Resource: Idaho School Bus Driver Classroom Curriculum, “Best practices for loading and unloading”.

Proper Backing All steps shall be covered: A/ Activate 4 ways. B/Honk horn. C/Back slowly. D/ Use mirror’s. E/ Spotters if available. Resource: Idaho Code Idaho BTW Curriculum, skill, level two. Idaho Commercial Drivers License manual, Federal Motor Carrier,49 CFR

Railroad Crossing All steps shall be covered: Driver activates hazard warning lights at least 100 ft. before railroad tracks. Driver stops ft. back from railroad tracks. Driver shuts off radio, other noisy equipment and quiets passengers. Driver fully opens entrance door and driver’s window Driver has visual and audible proof that no train is approaching. Driver closes entrance door. Driver does not shift out of low gear until bus has cleared railroad tracks. Driver turns off hazard warning lights after clearing tracks. SDE will accept actual stop or verbal if no actual RR crossing on route. Resource: Idaho Code ,49-648,

Route/ Check ride SDE will calculate compliance rating based on a summary of all route/driver check rides. (A compliance rating will be attached. A rating of 70% or less will result in an “ corrective action” plan.) Idaho Code,

Supervision at Schools Providing supervision of loading and unloading areas at or near schools during unloading and loading of school buses. School districts shall provide an adequate number of supervisors for the size of the loading area and number of students present and ensure close, continuous and interactive supervision whenever students and/or buses are present in the loading area. Resource: SISBO page 47, 1,d. (A compliance rating will be attached. A rating of 70% or less will result in an “ corrective action” plan.) Idaho Code

Exit Interview Set up earlier, could be with Superintendent, Transportation Director. Go over compliance ratings: If resulting in a corrective action plan, give guidance.

Thank You We look forward to seeing you: Doug Scott, SDE Transportation Director Virginia Overland, Region 1 & 2 specialist Steve Pieper, Region 3, specialist Brent Mahannah, Region 3 & 4 & 6, specialist Hank Povey, Region 5 & 6, specialist ext. 107