UNIT IUNIT I

SCHOOL BUS OPERATOR SCHOOL BUS OPERATOR

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

I-2

Operator Roles and Responsibilities

Topics to be discussed:

Responsibilities of the student transportation team members Requirements for becoming a school bus operator Types of requirements governing student transportation

• Laws• Rules/ Regulations • Policies• Recommendations

Gaining and maintaining professional status

I-3

The Transportation TeamNational and State

U.S. Department of Transportation

Florida Legislature

Florida State Board of Education

Commissioner of Education, Florida Department of Education

School Transportation Management Section

Local District School Board

Transportation Director

Superintendent

Operations and Fleet School Principal

Teachers/ Parents

I-4

The Local Transportation Team

Transportation Directors

Service Managers/Technicians

Route Coordinators Bus Operators

I-5

The Local Transportation Team (continued)

Attendants Students Parents Chaperones

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Requirements for Becoming a School Bus Operator

A school bus operator must: have at least five years of licensed driving experience. undergo a criminal background check. hold a valid Commercial Drivers License with a Passenger and

School Bus endorsement. complete 40 hours of training with at least 20 hours in a classroom

and at least eight hours behind the wheel. be capable of completing written forms and reports. pass the district’s dexterity test. pass a physical exam that demonstrates that he/she is:

in good physical and mental health, and able-bodied.[6A-3.0141, FAC, Employment of School Bus Drivers]

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Requirements for Becoming a School Bus Operator (continued)

possess a Certificate of Training from the Department of Education issued by the district.

submit to the required drug testing program conducted for all employees who hold a Commercial Drivers License, including: pre-employment testing, random testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and return-to-duty testing.

I-8

Laws and Rules/Regulations

LAWS:

Requirements established by a legislative body that must be followed.

RULES/REGULATIONS:

Guidelines established by an administrative department that must be followed.

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Policies and Recommendations

POLICIES:

Local requirements that are not enforced by a federal or state agency.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Guidelines that should be followed.

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Professionalism

A school bus operator should exhibit traits that are characteristic of all professionals.

I-11

Summary

We reviewed: Student Transportation Team Members Requirements for School Bus Operators Requirements for Student Transportation Professionalism