Transportation Handbook

Vision Statement: United for Tiger Excellence  

 

Mission Statement: To achieve Tiger Excellence by uniting students, families, community, faculty, and staff towards the common goals of lifetime success and learning.  

 

Disclaimer: The purpose of this Employee Handbook is to provide general information and guidelines. It is in no way a legal contract, and your employment may be terminated or resigned from at any time.

 

Personnel Records

Complete personnel files are maintained for all district employees. Records include certifications, licenses, compensation history, evaluations, and disciplinary actions. Employees must direct all reference requests to the Superintendent or a designated individual; other employees providing personal references act only in their individual capacities.

 

Transportation Department Message  

Welcome to the Morgan County R-II Transportation Department. We are happy you are here!

School bus drivers are among the most visible representatives of the District and play a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students. This handbook provides operational guidance and summarizes expectations, procedures, and safety requirements for transportation employees.

Drivers are expected to comply with all applicable federal regulations, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requirements, district policies, and Transportation Department procedures.

 

Questions regarding any portion of this handbook should be directed to the Transportation Director.

 

Transportation Contacts  

• Transportation Director- Tiffany Sears- Office: 573-569-7015 Cell Phone: 573-789-6707  
• Superintendent- Bryan Pettengill- Office: 573-378-4231 Cell Phone: 816-721-3858
• Head Bus Mechanic- Dakota Savage- Office: 573-378-4296
• Cell Phone: 573-832-9178 Bus Mechanic- Justin Foushee- Office: 573-378-4296 Cell Phone: 573-789-9663
• Emergency: 911  .

 

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Morgan County R-II School District is an equal opportunity employer and strictly prohibits discrimination or harassment against employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or genetic information. 

Payroll Procedures

• Direct Deposit: Required for all employees.
• Payday: The 25th of each month. If the 25th falls on a weekend, payment is issued the preceding Friday.

 

Retirement Systems

• Support Staff: Participation in the Public Education Employee Retirement System (PEERS) is required by law. Currently, 6.86% is withheld and matched by the district.

 

Insurance and Fringe Benefits:Full-time employees are eligible for various benefit options, including health, life, and dental insurance.

 

• Benefit Eligibility: For bus drivers, eligibility is defined as a regular route assignment of 20 or more hours per week. 
• Benefit Start Date: Benefits typically begin at the start of the month following the first full month of employment.
• Flexible Benefits: A Section 125 Flexible Benefits Plan (cafeteria plan) is available to reduce taxable income for qualified expenses like medical premiums and dependent care. 

 

Attendance and Leaves

Leave Accrual:  

Leaves are counted in increments of 1 hour. Cumulative leave is capped at 50 days. 

Employee Type	Annual Leave Days
12-month employees	15 days
11-month employees	12 days
10-month employees	11 days
Full-Time School-Term Employees	10 days

 

Approved Absences

Absences may be charged against leave for illness of the employee or immediate family, pregnancy/childbirth, funerals, or religious holidays. The district reserves the right to require healthcare provider verification for absences or a certification of fitness to return to work.

Employees should:  

• Submit leave request as early as possible.
• Notify the Transportation Director no later than 5:30 AM when absent.  

Leave approval may be limited/denied when substitute coverage is unavailable.  

 

Leave Days Used for Other Purposes Beside Illness:

No more than two leave days may be taken back to back for purposes other than illness, and may not be used before or after a holiday, or scheduled school calendar break, or during standardized testing weeks. The Board of Education, through the superintendent, reserves the right to disallow leave given extenuating circumstances demanding the employee’s presence. Unless otherwise provided, when leave days are exhausted and a subsequent absence occurs resulting in a non-paid day or dock day, the employee may be dismissed. 

 

Vacation

All support staff employed on a 12-month, full-time (30 hours or more per week) basis will receive three weeks of vacation per year. After five years of employment all support staff will receive four weeks of vacation per year.

• Employees will accrue vacation on a pro-rata monthly basis beginning on the first full calendar month of employment.
• An employee must submit an online request for vacation to his or her supervisor and receive digital authorization before taking vacation days. If the employee's absence may disrupt district operations, the supervisor has the discretion to deny a request for vacation or to limit the time of year the employee may take his or her vacation. Vacation is to be used in increments of quarter days and multiples thereof.
• A district employee may not use vacation days during the period the employee receives Workers' Compensation for time lost to work-related incidents. 

 

Holidays

The following holidays will be provided to all 12-month, full-time employees: New Year's Eve, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day; Spring Break Day (per school calendar), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

• The district will grant paid and unpaid holidays in accordance with the academic calendar adopted by the Board. Holidays may be modified or eliminated as needed when the academic calendar is changed due to inclement weather or for other reasons. Holidays may change from year to year. 

 

Professional Leave  

Employees may be granted professional leave to attend classes or conferences, or participate in other approved professional growth activities. Professional leave must be approved by the immediate supervisor, arranged well in advance and is not considered personal leave.

 

Military Leave  

The Board shall grant military leave as required by law. Members of the National Guard or any reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces who are engaged in the performance of duty or training will be entitled to a leave of absence of 120 hours in any federal fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) without impairment of efficiency rating or loss of time, pay, regular leave or any other rights or benefits. Employees shall provide the district an official order verifying that they are required to report to duty.

 

Election Leave  

Any employee who is appointed as an election judge pursuant to state law may be absent on any election day for the period of time required by the election authority. The employee must notify the district at least seven days prior to any election in which the employee will serve as an election judge. No employee will be terminated, disciplined, threatened or otherwise subjected to adverse action based on the employee's service as an election judge.

 

Leave to Vote  

Employees who do not have three successive hours free from work while the polls are open will be granted a leave period of up to three hours to permit employees three successive hours while the polls are open for the purpose of voting. Requests for such leave must be made prior to election day, and the employee's supervisors will designate when during the workday the leave should be taken. Any employee who properly requests leave to vote and uses the leave for that purpose will not be subject to discipline, termination or loss of wages or salary. 

 

Jury Duty Leave  

An employee will be granted paid leave for time spent responding to a summons for jury duty, time spent participating in the jury selection process or time spent actually serving on a jury. An employee will not be terminated, disciplined, threatened or otherwise subjected to adverse action because of the employee's receipt of or response to a jury summons.

 

Leave for Court Subpoena

If the subpoena is directly related to the employee's school duties, the employee will be released for court appearance without loss of leave. Other court appearances will be deducted from personal leave. 

 

Firefighter Leave  

Employees will be allowed to use personal, vacation and/or unpaid leave for any time taken to respond to an emergency in the course of performing duties as a volunteer firefighter. For the purposes of this section, "volunteer firefighter" includes members of Missouri-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team, Missouri Task Force One, Urban Search and Rescue Team or those activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in times of national disaster. Employees covered under this section shall not be terminated from employment for joining a volunteer fire department or for being absent from or late to work in order to respond to an emergency. Employees shall make every reasonable effort to notify the principal or supervisor if the employee may be absent from or late to work under this section. Employees are required to provide their supervisors with a written statement from the supervisor or acting supervisor of the volunteer fire department stating that the employee responded to an emergency along with the time and date of the emergency.

 

Crime Victim Leave  

Any employee who is a crime victim, who witnesses a crime or who has an immediate family member who is a crime victim will not be required to use vacation, personal or sick leave in order to honor a subpoena to testify in a criminal proceeding, attend a criminal proceeding or participate in the preparation of the criminal proceeding.

 

Coast Guard Auxiliary Leave  

Employees who are members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will be granted an unpaid leave of absence for periods during which they are engaged in the performance of United States Coast Guard or United States Coast Guard Auxiliary duties, including travel related to such duties, when authorized by the director of auxiliary or other appropriate United States Coast Guard Authority. Such leaves of absence will be given without loss of time, regular leave or any other rights or benefits to which such employees would otherwise be entitled. The leave is limited to 15 working days in any calendar year, but is unlimited when responding to a state- or nationally declared emergency in Missouri or upon any navigable waterway within or adjacent to the state of Missouri. The district may request that an employee be exempted from responding to a specific mission. 

 

Pregnancy, Childbirth and Adoption Leave

This section creates no rights extending beyond the contracted period of employment. FMLA certification and recertification procedures apply to FMLA-eligible employees. An employee must notify the district of the need for and anticipated duration of the leave at least 30 days before leave is to begin, if foreseeable. If 30 days' notice is not practical, the employee must give as much notice as possible. A pregnant employee shall continue in the performance of her duties as long as she is able to do so and as long as her ability to perform her duties is not impaired, based on medical opinion. Employees eligible for FMLA leave for the birth, first-year care, adoption or foster care of a child will have such leave applied in accordance with the FMLA. The district shall only apply up to six weeks of accrued paid leave to such absences.

• Employees who are ineligible for FMLA leave may take up to six weeks of leave for the birth, first-year care, adoption or foster care of a child and may use any combination of accrued leave, vacation or unpaid leave.
• Pregnant employees who need more than six weeks of paid or unpaid leave for a pregnancy-related incapacity must provide certification of the medical necessity for such leave. 

Professional Expectations  

Drivers & Employees are a representation of Morgan County R-II and are expected to demonstrate professionalism, courtesy, reliability and confidentiality. All employees must maintain professional and courteous relationships with students and the public. This includes dressing professionally, meeting deadlines, and protecting school property. Staff must never use profanity and must keep all student records and medical information confidential. Maintain all required licenses and endorsements. Maintain current medical certification. Complete all required district training and DESE required training. District transportation meetings, compliance training and other required professional development. Immediately report any citation, arrest, suspension, revocation, or legal matter that may affect driving privileges. Comply with all district policies and regulations. Submit to required drug and alcohol testing.  

Attendance at required training is considered an employment responsibility.  

Professional Appearance

Drivers & Bus Mechanics shall: 

• Maintain good hygiene.
• Wear clean and professional attire.
• Wear closed toe and closed heel shoes. No sandals.
• Avoid clothing or accessories that interfere with safe vehicle operations.  

 

Inclement Weather Protocols

The Superintendent determines the operational status of the district during inclement weather.

• Catastrophic Conditions: Remote work may be implemented;
• Snow Days (Temperature/Roads): 12-month employees must report to their worksite.
• Non-AMI Snow Days: The first three days do not require make-up. Staff following the student calendar do not report and receive regular pay. 

Driver & Mechanic Responsibilities

Drivers & Bus Mechanics are responsible for:

• Daily pre-trip inspections
• Daily post-trip inspections
• Reporting maintenance issues or concerns
• Fueling bus
• Fueling of DEF
• Following approved routes
• Safe transportation of students & staff
• Maintaining student discipline
• Maintaining assigned seating  charts
• Completing required documentation
• Other duties as assigned

 

Drivers shall never transport students in personal vehicles.  

 

complete walk-through inspection to the rear of the bus shall be completed after every route.  

 

Morning Procedures  

Drivers shall:

• Complete required pre-trip inspections.
• Verify safe operating conditions
• Begin routes according to assigned schedules  

Students should not be unloaded prior to district approved times. Approved drop off time begins at 7:15 AM.  

 

Afternoon Procedures  

Drivers shall:

• Verify safe operating conditions
• Verify student assignments when necessary
• Begin routes according to assigned schedules  

 

Drivers shall arrive at the loading area at designated time. Designated time is 3:20 PM and drivers should not be clocked in until 3:15 PM. Dismissal begins at 3:30 PM.  

 

Radio Use

Radio communication shall be:

• Professional
• Brief
• Transportation related  

Student names should only be used when necessary.  

 

Cell Phones & Electronic Devices  

Drivers shall not use cell phones or electronic devices while operating a school bus. Cell phones shall be stored in a compartment not accessible to the driver while driving.  

Cell phones may only be used when:

• The bus is parked & secured
• An emergency exists  

 

Fueling Procedures  

Driver shall:

• Never leave fuel nozzles unattended.
• Never fuel with students on the bus.
• Verify fuel caps are securely fastened before departure
• Add DEF when needed  

 

Driver Authority

While students are being transported, the driver is responsible for maintaining a safe and orderly environment.  

Students are expected to:

• Follow directions promptly.
• Remain seated while the bus is moving.
• Keep aisles clear.
• Emergency Exits clear at all times.
• Respect others and district property.
• Use appropriate language and behavior.  

 

Preventive Discipline  

Drivers should:  

• Establish expectations early.
• Be consistent.
• Build positive relationships with students.
• Recognize positive behaviors.
• Assign and enforce assigned seats .
• Communicate with parents when appropriate. 

 

Managing Behavior Concerns

Drivers should:

• Correct minor behavior concerns verbally.
• Reassign seating when necessary.
• Pull over in a safe location if behavior becomes a distraction/safety concern.
• Document repeated concerns.
• Submit discipline referrals for serious or repeated misconduct.  

 

Drivers shall never:

• Use profanity.
• Engage in arguments.
• Threaten students.
• Use physical force except to prevent injury to self or others.  

 

Parent Communication

Positive communication with parents/guardians is encouraged.  

Questions regarding disciplinary consequences should be referred to the building administration.  

 

Bus Referral Requirements

• All Bus Referrals must be accompanied by an archived video clip of the incident.
• Referrals are not to be made verbally; please use the official Bus Write-Up form.
• Referrals accrue through the semester and reset at the beginning of each new semester

 

Helpful Hints for Discipline

• Always control your temper and avoid using inappropriate language.
• Avoid shouting, arguing, or threatening students.
• Be consistent, fair, and positive in your interactions.
• Greet students by name and show an interest in them as individuals.
• Always separate the child from the behavior—praise the child, but address the behavior. 

 

Building-Specific Bus Matrix  

Each school building (Little Tiger Early Learning Center, Elementary, Middle, and High School) has a specific bus matrix that will be followed. Drivers should familiarize themselves with these building-specific procedures as they are the foundation for administrative action. 

The district has moved away from utilizing "code names" (colors) for emergencies in favor of plain language to avoid miscommunication. All staff should familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Plan and protocols for lockdowns or evacuations.

 

ALWAYS BE CAREFUL, CAUTIOUS, AND SURE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT AHEAD FOR SLICK OR BAD ROADS.  

 

Inclement Weather

Once the winter season arrives, make sure you allow plenty of time to perform your pre-trip, warm the bus, and clean the windows and mirrors before you start your route.  Make sure your plugs for cold weather are unplugged before starting and running the bus.

 

Snow Routes  

When snow routes are called for, under no circumstances should any driver alter their snow route due to a cleaned or cleared road on the route without approval from the Transportation Director. Stay consistent with your emergency snow route so that parents and students will know where to go for their pick up or drop off locations. Make sure you have updated your planned snow route with the Transportation Director. The snow route should be arranged so that the students will be picked up and dropped off at the most accessible place nearest to their stop or home. These routes will only be used if an announcement is made by the Transportation Director or Superintendent. If the weather has been deteriorating over the weekend or holiday, it would be advisable to get out and drive the roads on your route that may cause a question the following morning. 

 

Tornado Procedures

At times certain weather conditions may occur which will necessitate changes or a delay of school bus routes, school athletics, extracurricular activities, or field trips. This section provides suggested safety protocols and procedures on tornados or severe weather.  Due to the nature of severe weather during a bus route, drivers will often need to use discretion to decide the “best” action to take.

 

According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes can occur any time of day or night, any time of the year.

 

The school district will announce any severe weather threat during route times over the radio immediately upon notification. 

 

Prior to the threat of severe weather the responsibility of the school bus driver:

• Is to be thoroughly familiar with all roads adjoining their route in the event they are needed to seek shelter. For athletic, extracurricular activities, and field trips the school bus driver should have a review weather conditions for the destination and if possible have a map available in case alternate routes are needed.
• Has pre-determined shelter options (buildings, schools and businesses) along various parts of the route should evacuation be necessary and to the extent practical similar options when on activity trips. In emergency situations most people will offer others shelter when asked;
• Is to know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A “watch” means tornadoes are possible in your area; remain alert for approaching storms. A “warning” means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. 

 

School administrators and school bus drivers are to routinely monitor weather reports for the prediction of severe weather or announcements of weather advisories.

 

 When a ‘tornado watch’ is issued, a school bus driver is to be prepared for a sudden change in weather conditions and alert for the appearance of violent wind, rain, hail, or a funnel shaped cloud.

 

When a ‘tornado warning’ is issued, a school bus driver is to promptly seek shelter for the passengers.

 

If the warning is announced at or near the dismissal of school, students are to remain in the building in a designated safe area.

 

If the warning is announced while en route, a school bus driver is to go to a pre-identified shelter or building closest to their current location depending on the immediacy of the tornado threat. 

 

If caught in the direct path of a tornado or one is sighted and pre-identified shelter is not accessible the school bus driver is to:

• Stop and evacuate the passengers. Do not attempt to ‘out run’ the tornado. Do not remain on the school bus. Advise the school transportation office of your bus number and location.
• Seek safety in a below ground level area, such as a ditch, ravine, or depression in a location that is: away from the bus; and where practical on the side of the road without power lines, utility poles, trees etc.
• Do not use above ground locations for shelter. (e.g., road or bridge over passes).
• Instruct passengers to lie flat, face down, and to protect their head by using a jacket, other clothing, or their hands and arms. 

 

After the emergency:

• Account for all passengers, check for injuries, and provide first aid if needed. Obtain medical attention if needed.
• Before leaving a shelter or the immediate area if out in the open, the bus driver should monitor the local sky for a few minutes in the direction the tornado came from to ensure a second tornado does not follow a similar path.
• Be alert for continued storm activity, downed power lines, ruptured gas lines, or structural damage to trees, buildings, roads and bridges.
• Establish communication with the Transportation Director and Building Administrator(s)  and determine the next steps to take with the children. 

 

Flooding and Low-Water Crossings  

Drivers shall never cross flooded roadway.  

At times, weather conditions may occur which will necessitate changes or a delay of school bus routes, school athletics, extracurricular activities, or field trips. This section provides suggested safety protocols and procedures on low-water crossings.  Due to the nature of rising water during a bus route, drivers will often need to use discretion to decide the “best” action to take.  Bus drivers will need to report deviations from the approved route to the Transportation Director.  

Water flows more than 1 to 2 feet deep have enough lateral force to push a vehicle off the ford. Fast water velocities are dangerous!  High volumes of moving water play havoc on bridges, road beds, and other structures. What may appear as a normal road, may in fact, be a death trap. Therefore, all posting warnings and barriers adhered to.  Because fords involve water periodically flowing over the road, they are inherently dangerous during those periods of inundation.  If the bus driver cannot see both edges of the ford; do not cross.

 

Bus drivers must remember the following critical points:

• Buses and emergency vehicles can easily stall in the water and be carried away in any current.
• Most vehicles will be swept away by less than two feet of running water.
• Do not try to cross a flooded road or stream in your vehicle.
• Heed all flood and flash flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
• Do not drive around barricades at low-water crossings.
• Be especially vigilant at night or when traveling on unfamiliar roads.
• Do not cross flowing water.
• Observe any water level indicators at low-water crossings, remembering that six inches of water may be enough to cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Respect and use caution on how fast water can rise.
• Be aware that beneath the water's surface, road beds may have been washed away. 

 

Medical or Injury Emergency Procedures  

Drivers shall:

• Secure the vehicle.
• Activate hazard lights. If needed.
• Contact emergency services.
• Notify the Transportation Director & Building Administrator(s).
• Follow student emergency action plans when applicable.
• Ensure that you have a bus buddy i.e. older student who is able to help handle the radio in an emergency so that the driver may assist with injury/medical emergency.
• Maintain supervision of students.
• Place warning triangles, when another adult is present. If needed.  

 

NOTE: Other drivers who may hear this call should keep the lines open and limit radio talk to help with communication.  

 

Incident Commander:

At the scene of an accident involving property damage, injuries, fire or hazardous materials [hazmat] such as leaking fuel, the incident commander has full responsibility for managing the scene. This will be the senior fire, emergency medical service or police officer. The school bus driver is not the incident manager, but is in charge of the pupils. The police have the responsibility for investigating the cause of the accident, for providing safety to scene workers and for directing traffic. If rescue operations are on the scene, they handle the emergencies under their authority. 

 

Complete School Accident Report:  

Immediately after all passengers have been delivered to their directed destination, the driver must report to the Transportation Director or Superintendent in order to complete an interview to gather the facts of the accident in detail and compile an Accident Report Form.  

 

Alcohol and Drug Testing:  Post accident testing should be performed immediately following; per regulation when:  

1. A fatality occurs, or
2. Moving violation citation is given to the bus driver and either of these events occur: 
   • A person receives medical treatment.
   • Any vehicle suffers disabling damage making it impossible for the vehicle to be driven away. 

 

Disabled Bus Procedures

Drivers shall:

• Secure the vehicle.
• Activate hazard lights.
• Notify the Transportation Director.
• Maintain supervision of students.
• Place warning triangles, when another adult is present.  

 

Railroad Crossings

A school bus shall, upon approaching any railroad crossing, be brought to a full stop by the driver within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet, from the crossing. The driver should turn on 4-way hazards, put the bus in neutral, apply the parking brake, turn off all noise and tell students to remain quiet. The driver shall not proceed until due caution has been taken by looking twice to ascertain that the course is clear. This procedure is not followed if the railroad crossing is exempt. 

 

Emergency Evacuations  

Drivers shall participate in required evacuation drills and be prepared to evacuate students when necessary.  

Activity trips are an essential part of the Morgan County R-II School District program. While these trips are outside the standard driver job description and should not be considered a primary salary source, they are offered to provide necessary services to students. 

 

Assignment Process

• Express Interest: Drivers must inform the Transportation Director of their interest in taking activity trips.
• Director Oversight: Trip assignments are made by the Transportation Director or a designee; interest does not guarantee a trip.
• Flexibility: The Transportation Director may adjust assignments as needed to accommodate changes in activity schedules. 

 

Driver Responsibilities

• Maintain Cleanliness: Ensure the bus interior and exterior are neat and clean before departure.
• Timely Documentation: Complete and submit all trip paperwork to the Transportation Director in a timely manner.
• Arrive on Time: Be present at the designated location for scheduled loading and unloading times.
• Route Safety: Utilize the safest and most efficient routes to and from the activity location.
• Maintain Communication: Keep in regular contact with the teacher or sponsor throughout the trip.
• Ensure Safety: Verify that emergency exits remain clear at all times. 

 

Supervision and Logistics

• Student Supervision: Teachers and sponsors are responsible for student behavior and supervision.
• Meal Policy: The District does not provide meal reimbursement. However, most hosts provide drivers with free entry and access to hospitality rooms.
• Overnight Trips: Reimbursement may be available for authorized overnight assignments. 

I have received a copy of the Morgan County R-II School District handbook which contains vital information regarding the duties of being a district bus driver.

 

I acknowledge that I am aware of the district policies online, the guidelines contained in the bus driver’s handbook, and agree to abide by all provisions of the policies and guidelines as a condition of my continued employment. 

 

Employee Name:  __________________________________

 

Signature:  ________________________________________

 

Date:  _______________________________