1. School Bus Driver Recruitment & Retention

2. When Drivers & Attendants Are Asked…
Support & Recognition
Management that cares…
Wages & Benefits
If you could change one thing about your work, what would it be?

3. 3 Pieces to the Puzzle Caring Management Wage Support & Recognition &
Benefits
Support & Recognition

4. Puzzle Pieces Enhance the Invite
Before you can attract good people you must have a good place to work!
Word of mouth spreads fast – good and bad.
Examine your reputation.
How do you stack up with local competitors?
Who are your competitors for local employees?

5. Recruitment Social Media Podcasts PSAs Local Radio and TV live spots
Job Fairs
Local newspaper articles
Local festivals, fairs and celebrations
Referral incentives
Open House

6. Program Support Support & Recognition Advocacy – hang on the wall?
Student Management process
Immediate consequences
Outcomes communicated to employee(s) in timely manner
System involvement & respect
HR processes
EAP accessibility

7. Staff Recognitions & Incentives
Local media & school newsletter
Memorial Awards
Driver & Attendant of the Year awards
Attendance incentives – never zero
Accident free incentives
Public “thank you”
Appreciation week activities – get the school involved!

8. Professional Investments in People
Support & Recognition
Professional Investments in People
Training is important
Cutting edge tools
Computer hardware, software etc.
Conference attendance
Roadeo competition
Committee inclusion

9. Psycho-Emotional Aspects
Management That Cares…
Psycho-Emotional Aspects
How do they FEEL about their job?
How are they treated?
What is the “yeah but” for your employees?
Create “family pride”
Charity projects
Picnics
Raffles & contests
Cook-offs

10. Professional Environments
Management That Cares…
Professional Environments
Honest look at the bus garage and transportation facility
Would you schedule a Board of Education meeting there?
Condition of equipment provided
Honest assessment of department management philosophies

11. Management Balance – Interpersonal Skills
Management That Cares…
Management Balance – Interpersonal Skills
Transportation is all heart
Hire for people skills and train the rest
Balance of skills
Structure and people skills
Care
Manners & respect
Listen to the noise

12. Payroll & Hours Wages & Benefits
Wage considerations – are you competitive?
Are there opportunities to extend hours?
Combine jobs – janitors, cafeteria staff & monitors, classroom aides, etc.
Partners within the community
Day Cares & Preschools
Shared services
Management, maintenance, support staff etc.
Mid-day trip sub-contracts

13. Benefits Wages & Benefits
Re-examine the thresholds for receiving benefits
“Sweeten the deal” somehow for those who are not able to receive benefits
Extra personal day, etc.
What is important or meaningful to THEM?
EAP programs
Local vendor discounts
Employee Day Care service
Flu Shot Clinics

14. Cost of High Turnover Rates
What is your turnover rate?
What does it cost to train and administer a new hire?
What if you were able to use that money to enhance wages and benefits?

15. Control Absentee Rates
Incentives
Consequences
Have a policy and follow it fairly
Let them know what their rate is – quarterly
Set a goal – communicate the expectation

16. Summary Review and Assess the following: Support Levels Overall
Recognition
Wage Levels, Benefits And Strategies For Both
Seek balance in management and people skills
Manage absenteeism
The “Yeah But…”

17. Build It And They Will Come!
Thank You!
Kathleen A. Furneaux CDPT – SNT Pupil Transportation Safety Institute Adler Drive, Suite East Syracuse, New York