NISD - Transportation: Bus Safety Rules

Training At NISD Transportation

The Northside Independent School District Transportation Department is dedicated to providing preservice, inservice as well as on-the-job training and regular safety meetings for all of our personnel. Our schedule provides continuous, year-around preservice and inservice training for our 750+ drivers and assistants.

Preservice Training For All Drivers

Preservice training for newly hired drivers begins with their Commercial Driver's License-School Bus (CDL-S) training (15 to 20 hours) taught by an experienced NISD CDL Trainer before our new hires are ready to drive. Each preservice driver must complete a Texas CDL written test as well as a on-the-road skills test conducted by a Texas Department of Public Safety evaluator. Each new driver must also complete the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving course (6 hours) during their first 90 days on duty along with Student Management class (6 hours) followed by a Policies and Procedures class (6 hours). During the first few weeks the new driver must also complete the American Heart Association's FACTS training for First Aid and CPR certification (6 hours). Drivers during their first ninety (90) days of initial employment must also complete the Crisis Prevention Course (12 hours). During the first 90 days drivers must also complete the School Bus Certification Course (20 hours) required by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Preservice Training For All Bus Assistants

Newly hired bus assistants take preservice training in Student Management (6 hours) and Policies and Procedures (6 hours). They must complete the American Heart Association's FACTS training for First Aid and CPR certification (6 hours). Bus Assistants are primarily on special needs buses so they must complete during their oreservice training both a Introduction To Special Needs (6 hours) and a Lift Bus Procedures (6 hours) course. Bus assistants during their first ninety (90) days of initial employment must also complete a Crisis Prevention Course (12 hours) that is taught within our Department.

Inservice Training for Regular Bus Drivers

Every two years every driver (regular or special needs) must complete a recertification class for the American Heart Association's FACTS course which includes First Aid and CPR (6 hours). Every two years every driver must also take a Crisis Prevention Refresher Course (6 hours) taught by Departmental trainerrs.Within those same two years every driver also must complete a refresher course in Student Management (3 hours).

Inservice Training for Special Needs Drivers,

Lift Bus Drivers or Substitute Drivers

Every two years every driver (special needs, lift or substitute drivers) must complete a recertification class for First Aid and CPR (American Heart Association FACTS course). They must also take every two years the Crisis Prevention Refresher Course (6 hours). Within those same two years every driver also must complete a Student Management Refresher Course (3 hours). Special needs and lift bus drivers are required to attend every year a Mass Evacuation Training Exercise (6 hours). Included in this annual exercise is a careful on-the-job review of special needs inservice course content and lift bus procedures in which each Special Needs Driver Team must demonstrate proficiency to maintain their job assignment.

Inservice Training for Bus Assistants

Every two years each bus assistant (regular or substitute) must complete a recertification class in the American Heart Association FACTS course (6 hours). Also every two years bns assistants take the Crisis Prevention Refresher Course (6 hours). Within those same two years every bus assistant also must complete a Student Management three (3) hour refresher inservice training course. Special needs assistants with their Driver Team member are required to attend every year the Mass Evacuation Training Exercise (6 hours) that is a careful on-the-job review of special needs inservice course content and lift bus procedures which they must demonstrate proficiency in to maintain their job positions. The Mass Evacuation Training Exercise is to fulfill Texas State statuatory requirement that school bus drivers and assistants practice bus evacuations for their students. Instead of practicing with students with disabilities who are already physically and/or mentally challenged we use mannequins during the exercises to avoid possible injury to any students .

Monthly Safety Meetings for All Bus Personnel

One hour monthly Safety Meetings are required for all bus personnel to attend. Meetings are presented for at least 7 months of the 9 month school year. Safety meetings held at each Transportation facility cover bus safety issues, personnel safety, student safety and other related topics. Presentatons at each meeting are made by each Station Manager, the NISD Training and Safety Officer and others including the Director or Assistant Director of Transportation, the Special Education Transportation Coordinator and others.

Beginning-Of-The-Year Orientation Meetings

The week before the first day of the school year calendar is filled with Orientation meetings to provide new information to experienced drivers and assistants and to assist newly-hired personnel to better understand the complexity of our Transportation Department. That week also provides time for all personnel to take inservice training to maintain their certifications in Crisis Prevention, Student Management, Policies and Procedures, Introduction To Special Needs, Lift Bus Procedures, FACTS (First Aid and CPR). Regular drivers and special needs driver teams are provided bus routes and student lists. Bus routes for regular buses include the appropriate bus stop locations and those students names who are expected to board there. Special Needs routes include much more specific student-by-student information for curb-to-curb service. Every driver or driver team runs their route with their assigned bus before they take on students during the first day of classes. Specail needs driver teams meet the new parents to discuss the special handling required for their child who is assigned to that special needs bus route.

For More Information About Transportation Department Training...

Please email Don Weaver, Training and Safety Specialist, or Dr. Ray Turner, Special Education Transportation Coordinator in the NISD Transportation Department.