Attracting and Retaining the Best Employees

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ATTRACTING, RETAINING AND RECOGNIZING THE VERY
BEST EMPLOYEES
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WHO ARE WE?

• Cherokee County School System Transportation
• 40 Miles North of Atlanta
• 37,000 Students
• 357 Bus Routes
• Gene Thomason-Director
• 23 Years
• gene.thomason_at_cherokee.k12.ga.us
• 770-720-2112

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IMPORTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

• NOT part of other duties assigned

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ALL STAFF

• ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
• Does your operation run smoother when your
  absent?
• Does your operation run smoothly when others are
  absent?
• Does your operation have a plan B, someone who
  can fill in for anybody who may be absent
  including
• Secretaries
• Technicians
• Trainers
• Supervisors

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VOLUNTARY TRAINING

• Classes that are not required
• Classes can be fun as well as educational
• Classes can be tailored to suite driver needs

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SALARIES

• Direct link between salary and the quality and
  quantity of your applicant pool
• Steps do not have to only be longevity raises
• 50 hours of off the clock training can result in
  a step increase
• One for longevity and two for training each year

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Presenters Courses can be developed and
presented by your own staff and outside
volunteers such as

• GEMA- Georgia Emergency Management Association
  (Weapon Screening, Bullying, Computer Safety)
• Principals of your schools- (Student Management,
  What they expect on write up sheets, how to
  communicate)
• School Police- (When to call for help)
• School Nurses- (First aid)
• County Emergency Agents- (Fire department-How to
  use your fire extinguisher-Police
  department-Safety on the bus

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SAMPLE COURSES

• Employee Burnout
• Sources EAP, Staff, Risk Management, Trainers,
  Clinics, Hospitals
• Main Objective It takes 100, 100 of the time
  to be an effective bus driver!

• Stress Reduction
• Sources EAP, Consultants, Massage Therapists,
  Trainers, School Nurses
• Main Objective Better productivity, Less
  absences, Better Attitudes

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• Student Management
• Sources Trainers, Principals, Office Staff, Bus
  Drivers, Panel Discussions, School Police
• Main Objective Decrease student referrals, Less
  driver distraction

• Trains, Trains, Trains
• Sources Operation Lifesaver, Local Train Museum,
  State Statistics, Local Train Ride, Railroad
  Officials
• Main Objective Reduce the number of railway
  grade crossing accidents

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• CPR Classes
• Sources School Nurses, EMA, Hospitals, Certified
  Staff
• Main Objective Save Lives in an emergency
  situation

• Mirrors, Do You Get The Point?
• Sources Trainers, Handouts
• Main Objective To prevent accidents

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• New Drivers Class
• Sources Trainers, Office Staff, Veteran Drivers
• Main Objective Letting new drivers vent, How to
  make job better

• Driving Range Class
• Sources Trainers
• Main Objective Improve driving skills, reduce
  accidents

Rear Bumper Placement at a Railroad Crossing
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GEMA CLASSES

• Dangers of Meth
• Dangers of Internet Predators
• Weapons Class
• Dangers of Abductions
• Dangers of Terrorism
• Classes can be offered at night
• Drivers children invited

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• Emergency 911
• Sources EMA, Fire Department, Police Department,
  School Police
• Main Objective What to do about a mass
  evacuation, mass destruction

• Special Ed Classes
• Sources PT, OT, Sp Ed Director, Strap
  Manufacturers
• Main Objective Educate drivers on EBD, Autism,
  Seizures, Wheelchair Restraints

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SAMPLE-Recognize with different status drivers

• To reach LEVEL II status driver must attend all
  mandatory meetings required to maintain their
  LEVEL I driver position. They must then attend
  the following core classes
• 301 CPR Certification 4 Hrs
• 302 First Aid/Medical for Drivers
  Certification 3 Hrs
• 601 Basic Student Management 3 Hrs

Elective Classes Elective class hours are
selected by drivers (minimum) 20 Hrs.
Total Minimum Hours for Advancement 30
Hrs Practical Application A minimum of 11 months
to attain this level is required plus having
successfully completed Level I requirements Once
a driver has reached level II status they will
receive a 15 pay increase
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LEVEL II AWARD
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SAMPLE-Recognize with different status drivers

• To reach LEVEL III status a driver must have met
  the requirements for a LEVEL II driver position.
  The following core classes are then mandatory and
  apply to the LEVEL III driver position
• 301A CPR Re-certification (or CPR certificate
  is current) 4 Hrs
• 302A First Aid/Medical for Re-certification 3
  Hrs
• 603 Advanced Student Management 3 Hrs

Elective Classes Elective class hours are
selected by drivers minimum 14
Hrs. Total Minimum Hours for Advancement
24 Hrs Practical Application A minimum of
11 months to attain this level is required plus
having successfully completed Level II
requirements Once a driver has received level
III status they will receive a 10 pay
increase
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LEVEL III AWARD
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Salary Flow Chart
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STAFF TRAINING(Office Staff and Technicians)

• On Line Technical Classes (Such as Business
  Courses, Power Point, Management Classes)
• Risk Management Courses
• AES Classes for Technicians
• Pay increases using steps

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STAFF TRAINING

• Classes are offered for step advancement for both
  staff and technicians
• 50 Hours advance a step
• Maximum of two step increases per calendar year
• Work hour training is credited toward regular
  training hours
• Non-Work hour training is credited for
  advancement of steps
• All training must be pre-approved by appropriate
  supervisor
• Technical training that benefits your specific
  job is acceptable
• Graded courses are eligible for credit only if
  grade C or better is received
• EXAMPLE Technician who is a VT5 Step 15
  44,816.00 a year
• In 12 months you can advance
• 1 automatic yearly step 2 steps for 100 hours
  training which would make you a VT5 Step 18
  47,610.00 a year

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RECORD TRACKING

• Set classes up following a college curriculum
• Give training hours credit for each class
• Find a reward system such as (certificates,
  recognition among peers, pins, magnets, new bus
  for driver with most training hours in a years
  time, AWARD with an extra step increase for so
  many hours of credit)
• Send out monthly calendars promoting classes

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683
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HOW TO GET INFORMATION TO YOUR EMPLOYEES
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RELIEF (SUBSTITUTES) DRIVERS

• Relief Drivers are hired in as Full Time
  Employees
• Insurance and benefits start within 30 days of
  being hired
• 21 Full Time employees with benefits

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RETIRE AND REHIRE

• Option to retire and start back to work the next
  day with no break in benefits
• SUPPLEMENTAL RETIRMENT PLAN
• 403 (B) The board of education can provide
  supplemental retirement to the current PSE
• Match 50 or contributions up to 4 of Gross
  income a year

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2nd Career Opportunities
Because of the economy and rising insurance
prices, we are currently seeing an increase in
the 50 and older applicants. With just 10 years
to be vested this is a good 2nd retirement
opportunity for them. Kenneth Dickerson has
been driving for Cherokee County for 55 years. He
will start the 2008-2009 school year on his 56th
year. Mr. Dickerson expects to continue his
service for us for another 10 years.
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PERFECT ATTENDANCE PROGRAM

• PERFECT ATTANDANCE
• No absences
• Luncheon
• Drawing for new bus

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EXEMPLARARY DRIVER PROGRAM

• EXEMPLARARY DRIVER
• Jackets
• One day or less absent
• No chargeable accidents
• Turns in paperwork on time
• Not on the top 10 dirty bus list

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OTHER AWARDS

• CLEAN BUS AWARDS
• LONGEIVITY AWARDS
• ROAD-E-O WINNERS
• RETIREES
• TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

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GEORGIA DOE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

• 2007-2008
• Neal has worked for Cherokee County for 19 years
• Neal has accumulated over 800 hours of
  additional training, he is ASE Certified Master
  Technician in School Bus, Automotive Repair, and
  has other ASE certifications
• His expert knowledge and training is an asset to
  Cherokee County Transportation Department

• 2005-2006
• Brad has worked for Cherokee County for 10 years
• Brad has accumulated over 400 hours of
  additional training, with several Ford ASE
  Certifications
• Brads training and knowledge has enabled him to
  become a shop foreman for Cherokee County School
  District

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CAROL CAVINESS AWARDED VALOR AWARD FOR SAVING
CHOKING CHILD
Carol Caviness and Killian
Danny Hendricks Valor Award
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Other Incentives

• Your children 3 and above can ride your bus
• Your children can attend the school you drive
  for
• You can retire and rehire the same day without
  losing benefits
• 403B Plan employee matches .50 of every 1.00
  given up to 4
• PSE retirement benefits payable after a minimum
  of 10 years of service 4.00 a month

• Open door policy-Drivers are encouraged to come
  to us whenever they need to
• Letters of recognition are sent to drivers by the
  Coordinator of Routing and Operations when they
  go over and beyond. (Example Parents call in
  to compliment driver, helping out other drivers
  without being asked.)

EAP PROGRAM LifeWorks-A place to turn for
information and support.
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BENEFITS

• Better pay for staff
• Better training
• Better pay for drivers
• Better professionalism
• Less turnover of staff and drivers
• Safer programs