school transportation challenges: 2009-10 school year start-up presented by: florida dept. of...
TRANSCRIPT
School Transportation Challenges:2009-10 School Year Start-Up
Presented By:Florida Dept. of Education, School Transportation Management Staff
62nd Annual Florida Association forPupil Transportation Summer Conference
July 5-9, 2009
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf ClubNaples, Florida
How STMS Handles Parent Complaints
• Complaint is received by one or more State contacts (ie: Governor, Commissioner, etc.)
• Complaint is entered into the “CorrFlow” System, and assigned an ID number for tracking
• Complaint is forwarded to the appropriate state agency
• State agency forwards the complaint to the proper department
How STMS Handles Parent Complaints (con’t)
• Assigned department supervisors select Specialist to handle the complaint.
• Specialist has 24 hours to complete the investigation and prepare a response letter to complainant.
• Response letter is sent for proof reading and returned to Specialist for corrections.
• Corrected response is then sent to proofing again, then forwarded to the original state contact for appropriate signature.
How STMS Handles Parent Complaints (con’t)
• The whole process takes about five (5) days to complete and involves multiple departments and agencies.
• Consequences are in place when due dates are not met.
Complainant(your parentsand citizens)
Complaint forwarded toappropriate agency
Complaint entered into“CorrFlow” system
Complaint receivedby state contact
(written or electronic)
Complaint forwarded toappropriate department
Department supervisorassigns Specialist
Specialist forwardsresponse to supervisor
Specialist contactsTransportation Dept.
Specialist reviewscomplaint
Specialist contactscomplainant
Specialist preparesresponse
(written or electronic)
Response is returnedfor corrections
Response is correctedAnd re-submitted for proofing
Supervisor sends responsefor proof reading
Response is submittedto the original state contact
for signatureResponse is sent
to original complainant andtransportation director
Response is submittedto Deputy Commissioner
for signature
How Can You Help?
• Advise your staff that when STMS calls to inquire about a situation, it is in response to a “CorrFlow” or phone call from one of your parents or citizens.
• STMS needs your staff’s cooperation to adhere to the mandated response timelines. Please give our calls priority.
• We want to help keep the parents or citizens off your backs, but we need staff cooperation to make that happen.
• Let us help you! If possible, please provide us with a specific point of contact and number that is free and clear of switchboards and automated messages.
How Can You Help? (con’t)
• Please do not tell your parents that DOE made you do it.
• DOE sets requirements for school bus operators, bus specifications and inspections. That is it.
• DOE offers guidance, training and assistance with law and rule interpretation and support.
• Local districts have sole discretion to do what they want. (ie: bus stop locations, walking routes, 2 mile determination, etc.)
• STMS has zero enforcement authorization.• STMS will advise parents that they were mis-
informed by the district if your staff tells them that “DOE made us do it”.
What Topics Are Complained About The Most?
• 2-mile walking distance.• Bus stop moved from previous year.• Bus stop locations.• Late bus pick-ups/drop offs.• Un-reachable transportation department staff.• Un-reachable dispatchers, supervisors and
directors.• Bus cleanliness.• Operator/Attendant attitudes and behaviors.• Length of time on the bus.• Perceived IEP violations.
What Topics Are Complained About The Most? (con’t)
• Charter school transportation.• School bus over crowding.• Hazardous walking.• Bus stop supervision.• Student behavior while on the school
bus.
Training and In-Service
• All travel is suspended, unless critical in nature.• DOE will be available to assist with in-service
training and preparation remotely, using Skype® video calling services.
• Classroom Instructor and CDL Tester training classes will be conducted as needed in Tallahassee (Leon County) only, at the discretion of STMS staff.
• Inspector certification will continue to be held regionally, in reduced numbers, and at the discretion of STMS staff.
Your STMS Contacts – 2009-10Charlie Hood
Director(850) 245-9924
Ronnie H. McCallisterAsst. Director
(850) [email protected]
Katrina BondStaff Assistant(850) 245-9795
Herman CarterTransportation Specialist, Operations
(850) [email protected]
Bud FletcherTransportation Specialist, Fleet & Monitoring
(850) [email protected]
Kay KanuppTransportation Specialist, Operations
(850) [email protected]
Terri EglerTransportation Specialist, Fleet
(850) [email protected]
Jamie WarringtonTransportation Specialist, ESE
(850) [email protected]