Jackie K. wrote on May 13, 2008 4:56 PM:
" Please note: This story has been updated, which causes any attached comments to be deleted. We apologize. Feel free to repost your comments. "
Concerned Resident wrote on May 13, 2008 5:28 PM:
" I agree there should be concern regarding KSTA and saftey. I dont agree that they put Special Ed. children with SED "Severely Emotionally Disturbed" children that can be very violent ! The county has tried to save money by hiring KSTA but in the long run are not saving anything by all the lawsuits they are receiveing! Parents of Special Ed children should really be concerned about what is going on in these buses !!!
"
Bobb wrote on May 13, 2008 7:15 PM:
" With budget shortfalls and an economy that is headed into a recesion, I think the Grand Jury's recomendation to hire a Transportation Coordinator may be off base. Assign someone on the present staff to handle parents concerns. I cannot reallly believe that the Administration has too much work that this could not be handled in House without another high paid position and accompanying staff. Many employees at the lower levels have been laid off and they recommend hireing more high dollar staaff. Make do with what you have. That is what most of us are doing. "
Another Concerned Resident wrote on May 13, 2008 10:13 PM:
" I am for one proud of the schoolbus drivers. They come to work everymorning to make sure all of our kids get to school safely. They are all human as we are. If you don't like how they drive or look come & try it see how you like being a bus driver. I bet after you did it for acouple of days you wouldn't be cripping about how they look or drive. "
Mrs.D wrote on May 13, 2008 11:44 PM:
" Before my post was deleted(thanks, Jackie K.)I had stated that most of the bus drivers for Special Ed students were not familiar with the lay out of Hanford while driving our children to and from school. On top of that, not many wishes of the parents are being followed by the drivers; seat belts are mandatory and usually seat belt locks are requested by the parents(I asked for one for my daughter). Sometimes a bus driver will tell me "Oh, I always watch them." I insist that she put one on her. The reply is the same or "I didn't put one on the bus today" or "I don't have one".
In short, there is no accountability at the transportation bus garage to enforce parents requests on behalf of our kids safety. "
Mrs.D wrote on May 14, 2008 9:30 AM:
" The bus driver came today without a seatbelt lock for my daughter. I'm not griping about it, but if it was your kid you would be very concerned. "
To Another Concerned Parent wrote on May 14, 2008 11:15 AM:
" Are you a parent of a child with special needs. This company and its drivers time schedule is so inaccurate, you cannot set your clock to it. I understand that picking kids up at their homes can cause minor delays. What about the times when they are ten minutes early or late. I had to call one day and be told the driver would be one hour late and they were not going to call me. I work and that kind of delay affects my job and potentialy my ability to provide for my family. Where I live, I cannot here the bus pull up, and I need to the driver to honk. Yesterday the driver showed up ten minutes early, did not honk. I happened to be walking to the trash can and I noticed the bus waiting. I walked ny daughter aout and we wathced the bus drive away.
I know the drivers have a tough job, but it gets rediculous after a while. "
Mrs.D wrote on May 14, 2008 11:37 AM:
" Autistic children and other children going through Special Education ride the same bus. My daughter is autistic and rides the bus with most of her classmates and other children who go to Armona schools. There's enough non-drivers within the Transport to act like bus aides and watch the children all together. "
concerned wrote on May 14, 2008 1:15 PM:
" Something definantly has to change and soon. The drivers we had before KSTA was brought on board loved these kids as if they were their own, and cared and protected them from the second the got on the bus, to the second they exited. Administration was warned about this company repeatedly, and maybe out of regret, or embarassment are ignoring this situation. They need to just take the " I told you so" they have coming, and DO SOMETHING!! It is heartbreaking to know some of the incidents that these students have endured since under the care of this company, and it's the parents and staff that have to stabilize these kids and their lives... not the drivers, not administrstion. Something needs to change and soon, for the sake of these children. "
mother padilla wrote on May 14, 2008 7:07 PM:
" my child is special needs and goes toroosevelt school the driver is rhe most special human been with this kids she teats them as if they were heres.i got to say i could not do her job we have to understand they are human been anp for gods seek we all make mistakes. "
Someone who knows wrote on May 14, 2008 9:55 PM:
" How would you feel if this was one of your children? Do you understand that these are helpless and some nonverbal victims that are being knowingly placed on buses with sexually violent predators, and at no time are the parents of these defenseless handicapped children notified as to the company of our children. Do you think this is ok? Don't you think we should have faith in our schools that our children are safe when we turn them over to the care of our educators. We as parents would give our lives for our children, but our educators do not feel that our children with special needs that cannot help themselves and cannot tell, are worthy of protection or paying someone minimum wage to walk the buses to ensure their safety. What will it take to make these schools understand that these children deserve our care and safety too??????????????? What would you do, and what will it take??
"
Martinez-Navarro wrote on May 15, 2008 10:05 AM:
" I don't have a problem with the quality of service that STA provides my 2 kids. The drivers that we get are great. And always make an effort to go that extra mile. And there bus has never been dirty. When it rains, the bus gets very close to our fence line so that my boys don't slip in the mud.
When Corcoran School district tranported my boys , there driver was not even certified. And would stand there smoking behind the bus. "
mrs.hall wrote on May 15, 2008 6:28 PM:
" im very pleased with the way this company runs i have never had probles!the drivers are excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and really nice. "
CONCERNED PARENT wrote on May 15, 2008 8:52 PM:
" Obviously, the Grand Jury has no real power, otherwise these issues would not keep coming up. Are there no other bus companies? "
To Concerned Parent wrote on May 16, 2008 1:53 PM:
" Yes there are other Bus Companies. Due to the way government contracts work, the lowest bidder is the one selected. Obviously the school board does not feel that our childrens safety should come before the almighty dollar. "
Watchdog wrote on May 19, 2008 1:14 AM:
" Perhaps instead of Mr. Paul Terry could either select a staff member or pry himself out from behind his thrown long enough to do a ride along and see for himself what needs and doesn't need to be done..
Bobb you arent' being fair to the parents in this community, I understand you have some grievances but the children should niether be the brunt of those or suffer because of them.
Hiring someone to Supervise the unsupervised sounds like a win win situation. I can almost feel the frustration in the grand jury's statements regarding not having filled that position yet. Sounds to me you need to hire a retired truck driver/dispatcher who is up on all the D.O.T. regulations and have them address the safety and compliance issues. There are driver responsibilities, there are owner respnosibilities and I am sure there are School regulations that are not being followed in this issue. Someone who is already versed in the transportation area will quickly adapt to the School regulations, I am sure. But to say fix it and take no action is ridiculous. There are fines/danger in operating unsafe equipment. "
Watchdog wrote on May 19, 2008 1:25 AM:
" There are governing factors set out by DOT, Public Transportation and various other agencies that must apply. Depending on the size of the equipment, air brakes vs hydraulic brakes, fire extinguishers on board, daily inspections by dirvers for safety and cleanliness. Condition of tires/glass/seat belts/restraints any number of items should be inspected and used everyday. Done as a pre-trip by the individual drivers before leaving the yard such things as seat belt locks shouldn't be left behind.
On the other hand something that develops that couldn't have been prevented, flat tire in route, breakdown those things cannot be predicted or prevented. They can be reduced by inspections and checks of the equipment but never completely eliminated.
Cleanliness is an issue that should fall under the responsibility of the driver, not necessarily the scrubing and cleaning of the equipment but the monitoring and reporting to superiors if it isn't some little something that can be simply wiped up or picked up off the floor by the each individual driver.
I always had a policy with my drivers when it comes to glass they used it they cleaned it. Windshields, windows, mirrors headlights . "
Watchdog wrote on May 19, 2008 1:32 AM:
" To the drivers, would you begin a vacation or long trip with your family without first check fluid levels, tires, belts, hoses, washing the windshield, checking the wiper blades, making sure everyone had a seatbelt to wear? Making sure there was ample fuel and do everything you could to protect the safety of your family? Of course you would those children you are moving around are an extended part of your own family. Protect them in everyway you possibly can. One big mistake people make about other people, they have a license to drive they must be a driver, wrong biggest boo boo in the history of transportation. How long have they had a license how many moving violations do they have, how long have they been driving? All questions that should be asked and background investigations should be done on every driver that is responsible for children. Someone can pass a licesne test and get issued a license two weeks before applying for a job opening. I've seen it done. "
Mrs.D wrote on May 19, 2008 2:26 PM:
" The transportation contract did go to the lowest bidder, obviously. The drivers are usually from Visalia. Their one trip to Hanford to get acquainted with the lay out is a day before school starts. What happened last year to that student who was molested on the bus could have been prevented if the driver properly restrained the student before leaving campus. That didn't happen since they only do the minimum. Driving eyes forward and using the rear view mirror only helps so much. No accountability.,
No accountability. "
Watchdog wrote on May 19, 2008 5:31 PM:
" If this is a private agency, who inspected it, who cleared it, who is responsible for the bidding process and where are they now? The Supervisor of the drivers could be a liason between the company and the school district. Hold them directly responsible for the duties of investigating and answering complaints. They should be hands on day to day and drivers should submit reports on the condition of the equipment with copies being forwarded immediately to the Supervisor at the School District. The Supervisor should also conduct his own inspections randomly throughout the course of the school year to verify the compliance with DOT, State and School District and report directly to the Superintendent of Schools. No go between staff member or admin assistant. The Superintendant then should report directly to the School Board and any violations should be dealt with immediately. Just because a contract is awarded it should still have a compliance clause and excessive violations is reason to break the contract. Safety should come first in this issue. The salary of the School Supervisor should be recouped in fewer law suits. "
Watchdog wrote on May 19, 2008 6:48 PM:
" I won't mention any city names, but back when I lived in a town in between four corners &Yermo,
California there was an owner operator of trucks that coincidently hauled trailers for Santa Fe Railroad from that town to Las Vegas, Nevada. To make a long story short his maintenance guy would get everything on the trucks up to snuff, leaks, new brake diaphrams the hole enchilada then he would invite his friend the DOT inspector from the Highway Patorl over to inspect the fleet. They never had a violation, they never had a single written complaint. They always received their inspection certificates and were never hasseled for the entire year. If they were they fix it and had the officer friend sign off on it. So tell me who were they cheating? They were pulling a trailer of co2 to Arizona on 40 just outside of Ludlow the floor fell out on the trailer the tractor trailer behind them ran over the co2 blew out all six tires on the Semi and how that lady kept control of that rig, I'll never know. Just an example of safety violations. "
A Grandma wrote on May 19, 2008 9:25 PM:
" Mrs. D ......how do you know so much about how the drivers drive and what goes on...inside the bus .......have you ever rode with these drivers..............? "
Mrs.D wrote on May 20, 2008 12:14 AM:
" RE: a grandma, they come to my house every day to pick up and drop off my child. I talk to them to learn what they are about and also I read the newspaper. Most of the bus drivers are not following the requests of parents on how their disabled and autistic children should be transported. "
Ks Mom wrote on May 20, 2008 7:45 PM:
" You can't risk your special needs child to someone else's mistakes. That's always the KCOE answer. Maybe they should write little reminder notes for the drivers, instead of dealing with the real problems. I will never let my beautiful Autistic daughter ride a KCOE bus. "
A Grandma wrote on May 20, 2008 8:07 PM:
" Mrs. D...........if you are so unhappy withh the STA transporting your daughter........why don't you take her yourself. That seems to be a simple answer..........a ride to school with mom instead off the Scary......Dangerous...........unsafe bus and bus drivers......I took my kids for years. My kids were not special needs...just very special to me, I loved being with them that extra time in the morning and bringing them home. Then that way I knew they were safe ......are you also unhappy with the school........then try home schooling......problem solved "
Mrs.D wrote on May 20, 2008 10:22 PM:
" RE: a grandma, Well, long story short; my daughter is autistic. All her classmates are on that bus and it's part of their "socializing with others" step. And since it's a service that is part of the school, the parents have a right, and a God given right, to say anything we want on how the transportation service is being handled. If you bought a bad gallon of ice cream at Save-Mart, you want full satisfaction, right? Same with us. It's hard enough that we have children who don't speak fully, so we have to speak for them. Do you get it now, grandma? Things may have been different in your day, but now we have laws protecting us and the bus drivers and more importantly, the autistic children. "
Kristin Flowers wrote on May 21, 2008 12:03 AM:
" The bus situation is awful! My son rode it for 1 1/2 years. There was ALWAYS a daily problem with the busing.
My son would get bit on the bus & have to ride with teenagers! (my son was only in preschool) My son transfered buses at least twice on his way to school (we only live 1 m, away). It took 1 hour to get to school-on a clear, sunny day. If it happens to be slightly drizzling or slightly foggy- Then they don't get to school for hours (and that is NOT an exaggeration).
My son went to preschool with another student (from NAS Lemoore). The kid had a 2 hr ride to school and a 2 hr ride home. For an autistic kid that is 4 hrs of what we parents call "dead time". This is time in which the autistic child is not actively engaged in the world. They withdraw into their own little world. PRECIOUS time lost.
Things need to change for the children. They are helpless & can't speak for themselves. We MUST be their voice! Get involved! "
Watchdog wrote on May 21, 2008 4:26 AM:
" To Grandma: back in your day gasolines was 29 cents a gallon and the school was one mile from your house or less. Isn't there enough hardships and responsibilities placed on younger parents today who for the most part are starring at two mortgages just to afford a roof over their kids head. You paid $10,000 for your house tops and it was paid for long ago. So cut these parents some slack and realize raising kids into today's society is a lot more difficult than twenty or thirty years ago. They aren't asking for a hand out here they are asking for a hand.
Mrs. D. inner action of your children can happen at school for whatever time they are together. I can understand with the cost of gasoline today and other responsibilities you have and during this time frame is the only you time you probably get. There are other things you must get done and when the children are there it is impossible to do it. I understand the scenario, understand your quandary and feel the pain. I also now understand why you are so angry. "
Watchdog wrote on May 21, 2008 4:34 AM:
" To Mrs. D. Continued - I've offered some good suggestions the Superintendant would take the advise and follow it, alot of your problems would be addressed and safe transportation could be assured to you and the other parents.
Administration types just don't comprehend what it takes to safely operate bus transportation, with DOT regulations, Bus Regulations and the School Administrations additional Regulations and what all it entails. Those drivers should be making a general inspection of thier Bus prior to leaving. Right down to checking for seatblets and other restraints. But this is far from what is happening now. I would guess they arriving for work five minutes late, jumping into the bus and caravaning to Hanford as fast as they can down 198 and then traversing all over Hanford, Armona, Lemoore and Avenal once they get to town. They are probably going hell bent for leather trying to make their scheduled stops. A Supervisor needs to step in provide safety guidelines for inspections following the DOT regulations, CHP Bus Regulations for Inspections and pre trips and slow them down to a safe pace with all the devices needed to perform their jobs. "
Watchdog wrote on May 21, 2008 4:43 AM:
" Here is a novel solution, why not hire drivers from Hanford and let the Bus leave from Hanford. This way they could start at the same time but have thirty minutes to do pre trip inspections and as a first stop of the day they could drop these pre trips off with the appointed Supervisor from the School District, who could fax them to TRA for action. That would give TRA a full day to make preparations for repairs and so on so that the Bus is always being operated safely. TRA could keep a spare bus in Hanford and if anything developed that would keep one of the other Buses from running they could switch and leave the red tagged bus there for repairs. Transportation fleets operate like this all the time. What would the District have to charge to leave these buses with the other fleet buses in the district? They could do it for free and recoup the money in fewer lawsuits along with the Supervisors salary. Forty miles less a day on each of the buses might look pretty attractive to TRA. "
Kristin Flowers wrote on May 21, 2008 11:35 AM:
" I don't understand why Dr. Terry states in the newspaper that there is no problem with the transportation system for special needs students.
Obviously there is a problem. Duh.
Why does it take lawsuits and severe damage to precious children for things to change? Why won't those "in charge" listen to the parents and children. Instead, it seems like the parents and children's complaints are just brushed off.
Why hasn't there been a meeting between parents and school officials and the bus system people? Why can't it be worked out without expensive lawsuits and irreparable damage to children?
It is an insult to the families and children to say that there is no problem. That's why some families (who are able) file lawsuits. "
Grandma wrote on May 21, 2008 4:09 PM:
" Ms. D and Mr Watchdog.......if you are so concerned about pre-tripping , safety, the condition of the buses, why don't you as concerned parents.........and citizens go down to the bus yard at 5:00 in the morning and see what the drivers do...and all the buses do come from Hanford....parked right in the yard of 9 1/8..Ave....those drivers work very hard to provide sdafe trasportation for your children. Stop bashing the drivers the do the best they can! "
Kristin Flowers wrote on May 21, 2008 7:36 PM:
" To "the Grandma"
I can accept ignorance in people, but when people are just plain mean, flip, & insensitive it really sets my hair on fire.
My son is a special kid. You have no idea what you are talking about. Perhaps you should educate yourself and look into the reality of living with a disabled child.
Disabled children have rights & they are protected by federal & state laws. It is unacceptable & against the law for a special needs child (or any child) to be hurt, abused, molested or in any way damaged or for their safety to be carelessly managed &/or in jeopardy while going to & from school.
Yes, after 1 1/2 years of the ridiculous carelessness & ineffectiveness (daily) of what my son had to experience riding the special ed bus I did resort to taking my son to and from school. A LOT of parents do not have the luxury of doing this. You have no idea of the parents/families, and children's life circumstances & what they have to sacrifice having a precious child with a disability.
You should be ashamed. "
Watchdog wrote on May 22, 2008 3:59 AM:
" The jig is up this is to Grandma pre trip inspections are required by DOT and if you are showing up at 5:00 a.m. then you should be there at 4:30 a.m. to have time to do your job the way it should be done. If you are operating air brakes on your vehicles you should be required to have at the least a class II driver's license and should have it with a passenger endorsement. If you also drive large buses you better have a Class I with passenger endorsement.
Here is another question for grandma, are you certified in CPR?
Here is another question for grandma how do you bleed off the air on air brakes to drain the water out of the system and how often do you replace a diaphram in a brake pod?
Here is another question for grandma how do you adjust brakes on an air equipped vehicle? If you have ever performed a pre trip on an air equipped vehicle you should be able to answer all of those questions. Operating hydraulic brake systems they need to be inspected as well, how do you do it? Call TRA? "
Watchdog wrote on May 22, 2008 4:12 AM:
" Based on the comments it is no wonder parents have concerns about the safety of their children.
Dr. Paul Terry you need to go to school take a serious course on the operation of passenger transportation for a school district, or have the sense to hire a qualified supervisor for your transportation network.
I would suggest you do this prior to the foggy season next year. It is a wonder you don't have more lawsuits on your hands with the mismanagement of this area of transportation for the school district. This is the problem with privatizing school transportation. You don't have control over the maintenance, drivers and all aspects of giving children safe transportation to and from their residences. One sharp retired truck driver or experienced dispatcher could solve all your problems and take care of all the issues with the parents as well. Dispatchers deal with customer complaints on a daily basis and rectify the problem they don't sweep it under the rug. There job depends on it. CHP are you aware of these practices, perhaps a visit to 9 1/8 avenue long about 0430 hours? Please! "
Mrs.D wrote on May 22, 2008 8:49 AM:
" Re: Watchdog, I appreciate your post. But as most things go in America; the lowest bid wins, everything else goes out the window. I have no idea why the drivers aren't hired out of Hanford. I guess there are many residents who don't see driving a school bus as a lifelong trade(who knows). Special Ed teachers are required to know what is going on with special needs children, from mentally challenged, to autistic, to orthopodic birth deffect. It would be nice if the drivers had some sort of training on care/compassion and transporting of the children. The other reason we let our daughter ride the bus is because she is growing up! I fear what she is going to be like in eight years when she is sixteen. She has to learn socialization and ettiquete in social situations. It's not like before the 1950's when we put our problems out of sight(right, Grandma?). "
Watchdog wrote on May 22, 2008 4:44 PM:
" Mrs. D.
That is why, I say the need for the Supervisor exists. The right Supervisor could draft language in the bid that would specify minimum requirements, duties and respnsibilities that would be clear cut and dried and when problems arose all he would have to do is point to the original contract. Dr. Terry can't do this because evidently those items aren't contained in the current contract. But unless an ape drew up this contract there should still be termination for non compliance clauses throughout it. A contract should contain a clause for early termination due to non compliance when noted. The bidding process can contain certain advantages over non bid contracts. The School District has the carrot, the contractor wants it, they will comply or risk losing the carrot (money).
Just like with any contractor you need to put provisions in where in if they do not comply aside from firing them, money fines can be imposed, because you are paying for a service you are not receiving just like when a contractor builds your house only this is a service contract. That is the only difference. "
Mrs.D wrote on May 22, 2008 6:11 PM:
" Next time I hope the Supervisors throw in a provision for Sensitivey Training.
Oh, to guarantee safety, all of the seat belt locks have been put on one bus where all of the students have been getting up and walking around when the bus is in motion. I'm sure if KSTA put in the requesition, someone will send a few more boxes of seat belt locks to them! "
Kristin Flowers wrote on May 22, 2008 7:08 PM:
" To Ms. D:
I'm afraid you are sadly mistaken if you think your autistic child is going to learn social skills from a bus load of other autistic children.
...Unless there is a behaviorist on board the bus who is actively facilitating social interaction. Even then it's very difficult for autistics to learn socialization skills from each other (if not impossible).
I'm not trying to be offensive or anything, just trying to bring awareness to the reality of the situation.
We recently started an autism support group if you are interested please contact me @ 816-7652. "
A Bus Driver wrote on May 22, 2008 9:57 PM:
" You know it really hurts me to see all this bad stuff about our drivers. We get up & do our best to bring the kids SAFELY to school & then back home. If you don't like how we drive or care for the kids in Hanford PLEASE by all means Apply for a job. I would love to see you do this. We try our best to be on time BUT sometimes it can't be helped by an accident, a train, or a student that is NOT ready & we have been asked to wait. when yes we are on a time limit. In the afternoon their is some parents that aren't home & can not be found. What are we suppose to do with the kids then. Sit and wait. Sorry can't do that because we have other parents worried where their kids are. Soooo please if you don't like how we work then APPLY for a job. "
Mrs.D wrote on May 23, 2008 11:22 AM:
" Kristen, like I said before, she is with her classmates on that bus. She sits with them until they get to school. Familiarity is important, too. "
Young Grandma wrote on May 23, 2008 12:24 PM:
" Ms. D..How can you weigh being with her classmates with being safe? I think the safety of your daughter would come first. There are so many ways to socialize your child, rather than letting her ride of the bus........You feel you need to blame someone......and you are blaming the bus drivers, who work very hard to get your child to school everyday.......who wipe tears, reassure the parent that needs someone to listen to her, report abuse, yes some special need parents are not all loving kind parents, as you are. There is no doubt in my mind that you love your child, every child needs a hero, and sometime a bus driver is the hero in a childs life. We see things that make us cry, parents that yank thier children off the buses, yell at them, out of thier own frustration. Then we see the parents that are smiling, waving at thier children, and open thier arms, and give kisses and hugs. Also yes we are CPR certified, have training on every aspect of the buses we drive. God Bless the GOOD bus drivers, and good parents!!!!! "
Bobb wrote on May 26, 2008 12:36 PM:
" Watchdog- I guess we will have to respectivly disagree on this one. I beleive that the problems with the special ed transportation COULD and SHOULD be addressed in house without the establishing of another bearueacracy. If they hire a transportation coordinator, he/she will need a staff of 3-5 people and office space for those employee's. You are looking at $250- $300 thousand per year to start. Yes, I will get chastised for not thinking of the kids who come first. Throwing money at the situation will not solve the problem as it seems the administration is out of touch with what is happening. That is why it should be in house, with an Oversight Board consisting of present Administration and at least two (2) parents on the Board. They should meet once per month to reveiw policy and whether it is being enforced properly. Parents concerns would also be reveiwed at that time. This would be a voluntary board on the parents part and a mandatory requiement on the administrators part. I truly beleive that the present problem can be solved without establishing a new buearacracy level. Just my opinion Watchdog "
Watchdog wrote on May 27, 2008 6:00 AM:
" To Bobb,
I don't know where we got off track on this one, but I am talking in house, simply one position probably top pay would be $50k and answer to the board you suggested as well as answer parents complaints and cover all the other inspections, follow ups, pre trip information the entire ball of wax. Easy done and you may keep a bus or truck driver local, which would be appealing to both of them. That was my plan Bobb you don't need all that additional staff. I stated before answer direcftly to the Superintendant, no staff in between them to foul things up. "
Bobb wrote on May 27, 2008 3:09 PM:
" Watchdog- I do beleive that their should be an oversite committe with at least 2 parents of Special Needs children on the committe. This should be voluntary on the partents part and mandatory on staffs part. This will not cost the program much needed dollars in these tight budget times. I would really like to beleive that one person could be hired for all of the items you suggest, but bureacracies tend to reproduce themselves. It starts out innocuous, but the next thing you see is the hiring of and assistant because of the workload, then a secretary to answer the phones, and it seems to grow from there. Just my perspective of what I have seen over many years of private buissness and being on a public board. "
Watchdog wrote on May 27, 2008 7:54 PM:
" Bobb,
I too came from the private sector, I managed the distribution of dairy products including eggs and other fragile items in 13 various size vehicles. From three axle bob tailers to full blown eighteen wheel semi's. What I laid out can be done that is why you have pagers and cell phones available to handle complaints and emergencies. Our vehicles were all air brake operated and they each were pre-tripped by the drivers before they left the yard in the morning at between 3:00 am and 4:00 am.
I also was the Branch Manager and Sales Manager responsible for obtaining new business and maintaining existing business dealt with a myriad of complaints on a daily basis and grew the business from non-profit making to profit making in less than a year. I know from where I speak, the only staff I had was a part time secretary who processed the invoicing and submitted the banking information and she worked four hours per day. That is not needed in this siutation because there is no billing or large amounts of paperwork. The only additional item I might suggest is a laptop. "
Mrs.D wrote on May 28, 2008 12:09 AM:
" RE:Young Grandma , this is Special Needs transportation for our special needs children. It's not about non-disabled students. Our children cannot speak for themselves properly so we're the one who are pitchin' a fit for them. I am not blaming anyone but for the careless bus drivers out there. And believe me, there are some careless drivers on the road with our Special Needs children...not the non-disabled children. Am I making myself clear? "
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