CCS Bus Driver

Clay Community School Corporation Bus Driver

Clay Community School Corporation is aggressively seeking bus drivers for the possibility of filling an open route, or as a substitute driver. As a condition of employment, a driver must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older, possess a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) issued to him/her by the State of Indiana, and must meet the physical requirements and physical certification requirements as required by the State of Indiana and Clay Community Schools. The corporation agrees to pay for the required physical examinations of all regular and substitute bus drivers. A driver who has not driven for Clay Community Schools in the previous 365 days is not eligible to receive this benefit. The school corporation agrees to pay all costs related to the application fees for the Commercial Drivers' License (CDL) after the driver has driven for Clay Community Schools 3 times. A driver who has not driven for Clay Community Schools in the previous 365 days is not eligible to receive this benefit. Health, Dental, and Vision insurance is available.

The contents of this handbook are presented as a matter of information only. The plans, policies, and procedures described are not conditions of employment. Clay Community Schools reserves the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate, or change any or all such plans, policies, or procedures, in whole or in part, at any time with or without notice. The language which appears in this booklet is not intended to create nor is it to be construed to constitute a contract between Clay Community Schools and any one or all of its employees.

This employment policy handbook shall apply to all bus drivers employed by Clay Community Schools unless otherwise specifically excluded here from in writing and shall embody those employment policies deemed desirable by the Board of School Trustees and the Administration.

This Handbook shall remain in effect until altered by provision of the Board of School Trustees.

It is recognized that matters may arise of mutual concern to the Administration and bus drivers. It is in the interest of both parties to "meet and confer" regarding such mutual concerns. Clay Community Schools does not, however, consent to engage in collective bargaining with any specific representative and retains full management rights to determine all conditions of employment for such employees. This handbook is a supplement to, and does not supersede, the Indiana School Transportation Statute (IC 20-27-1-1 through 20-27-12-5).

Drivers will be recommended and hired by the Board of School Trustees. The driver's date of hire will be the Monday following the board meeting at which he/she is hired unless otherwise specified. These drivers will sign a Clay Community Schools Employment Agreement and will be considered full-time employees of the school corporation. Bus drivers must record their actual time worked each day and on field trips. This will be done on a signed time card submitted for approval each 2 weeks of a pay period.

Employer shall provide a school bus which meets or exceeds the requirements of the State of Indiana and will provide for its proper maintenance and insurance.

Each day during the school term, the driver shall operate his/her assigned bus over the route or routes fixed by Employer. Driver shall faithfully and personally perform the work set out in this handbook unless excused by Employer.

All bus drivers must adhere to school schedules. Drivers are required to arrive at school five minutes before school starts and ten minutes before time of dismissal. Weather, traffic conditions, and mechanical issues with the bus will be taken into consideration. Tardiness attributed to factors reasonably within the driver's control will be considered an issue of inadequate job performance.

Drivers are expected to drive every day school is in session for which they are contracted to work.

Excused days are for personal leave, sick leave, and bereavement leave. Drivers who take unexcused days off without approval will be subject to disciplinary action.

As a condition of employment, a driver must be twenty one (21) years of age or older, possess a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) issued to him/her by the State of Indiana, and must meet the physical requirements and physical certification requirements as required by the State of Indiana and Clay Community Schools.

Employer may, at any time, require any driver to submit to an additional physical examination by a licensed Indiana physician selected by the Employer. Employer shall pay the cost of additional physical examinations required.

The driver agrees to abide by the provisions of all Indiana statutes, and rules and regulations of the State School Bus Committee.

The driver shall keep order and maintain discipline among students while in the school bus and shall be responsible for the care and safety of the students. In the event it becomes necessary for more effective discipline, the principal of the school shall be notified by the driver submitting a bus conduct form.

The driver shall keep the school bus clean both inside and out and shall be responsible for reporting when the bus is not in good operating condition. Needed service and mechanical repairs shall be reported to one of the mechanics. Drivers are to wash their buses at least once a week or as needed. When using a spare bus, whether a full time or sub driver, the bus is to be swept and fueled. Bus washing reimbursement is calculated according to Appendix A of this handbook.

Drivers shall attend the annual State Safety Meeting, an annual organizational meeting, the Bus Inspection meeting, and two (2) In-Service meetings.

Bus routes shall be established by the Director of Extended Services, and changed only at his/her direction. Any time a route is changed, the Director will review it for capacity, time, and pay adjustment.

Drivers will submit a copy of their physical examination report to the Transportation Office when a DOT physical is completed. A copy of their CDL should be submitted every 4 years when their license is renewed.

All substitute drivers shall be selected, approved, trained, and paid by the school corporation.

Substitute drivers must be assigned by the Superintendent or the Director of Extended Services.

Only in the event of an emergency may the driver contact a substitute to drive, but in every event the driver shall notify the Transportation Office as soon as possible.

Drivers' appearance shall always be clean and neat, refrain from the use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and profanity while on the school bus and school property. Clay Community Schools has a tobacco-free environment which prohibits the use of tobacco products on any school corporation property or in any school-owned vehicle. This includes prohibition of the use of e-cigarettes, vapor pens, or other substitute forms of cigarettes in accordance with Board Policy 2830 Tobacco-Free Work Environment.

Drivers are expected to be in their bus when the first student enters and shall not leave the bus as long as there are students on board.

Drivers are to pre-warm the bus when temperatures are 32 degrees or less; the warm-up period shall be for 30 minutes or longer depending on the severity of the weather. Drivers are to use block heaters when the temperature falls below 25 degrees. Electrical use reimbursement is calculated according to Appendix A of this handbook.

No bus shall be operated at a speed greater than fifty-five (55) miles per hour on a federal or state highway, or greater than forty (40) miles per hour on any county or township road.

Interstate speed limit is 60 mph. When the posted speed limit is lower than the absolute limits set in this section, or when the absolute limits do not apply, the maximum lawful speed of a bus is the posted speed limit. In the event of adverse weather and/or bad road conditions, the driver shall reduce his/her speed accordingly.

Drivers are expected to drive both morning and evening routes during the school year except for approved leave days. (Other employment shall not interfere with this availability. Persons receiving other monetary consideration shall not use such as an excuse to use sick leave or any unpaid leave days from Clay Community Schools.)

Drivers shall not move the bus until their seat belts are fastened and all passengers are seated.

Drivers shall be responsible for the security and care of their bus.

School buses shall not be used for personal transportation. Stops may be made only if they are in a direct line between the drivers' home and the school.

Substitute drivers will receive regular pay after fifteen (15) consecutive days of service. If a substitute driver misses driving after the 15 consecutive days, he/she returns to substitute pay if they miss more than 2 consecutive days or a total of 3 days (including days).

If during the 180-day school year school is closed through no fault of the employee, the employee shall be paid during that time. However, whenever a canceled student day is rescheduled, each employee shall work on that rescheduled day and will not receive compensation. If the canceled school day is not rescheduled, the Board of School Trustees shall determine any reduction in compensation or establish additional assignments.

As per I.C. 20-