Dear Rocket Families,
With the new school year in full swing, we want to take a moment to highlight the essential role that school bus transportation plays in ensuring the success and safety of our students. We also acknowledge the nationwide school transportation challenges that have impacted us locally and want to reassure you that we are committed to finding effective solutions.
The Importance of School Bus Transportation
Our school bus drivers and their buses are more than just vehicles; they are an integral part of the educational experience. They promote regular attendance, reduce traffic congestion around our schools, and often serve as the first and last familiar faces our students encounter each day. Moreover, school bus transportation ensures that all students, regardless of their family's circumstances, have equitable access to a quality education.
Challenges Nationwide
It's no secret that school bus transportation has faced significant challenges in recent years. These include a shortage of bus drivers, rising operational costs, and the need to adapt to evolving safety protocols due to unforeseen events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationwide, school districts have been grappling with these issues, and we are no exception.
Our Commitment to Finding Solutions
While these challenges are real, we want to assure you that we are proactively working to find solutions and provide reliable transportation for your children. Here are some of the steps we are taking:
Recruitment and Retention: We are actively recruiting and retaining qualified bus drivers. We understand that our drivers play a vital role in your child's safety and well-being, and we are committed to ensuring they have the support and compensation they deserve.
Compensation and Benefits: We have consistently raised the starting driver pay by 31.25% over the past three years, setting the current beginning rate at $21.00 per hour. Current drivers have also received compounded raises of 17.8% during this period. Alongside guaranteed hours, an IMRF retirement pension, and comprehensive insurance benefits, Rochester Schools offers one of the most competitive compensation and benefits packages available.
Signing and Retention Bonuses: New drivers receive a $1,000 signing bonus, and veteran drivers receive an annual $1,000 retention bonus.
Paid Training and Physicals: All bus driver recruits receive paid training, irrespective of their eventual hiring status, and all prospective and current drivers receive paid physical examinations.
Safety Measures: Our top priority is your children's safety. We continue to implement rigorous safety measures, including regular bus maintenance, driver training, and adherence to health guidelines.
New Buses: The District has recently purchased four new school buses to improve the overall fleet.
Efficiency Improvements: We are continuously exploring ways to improve the efficiency of our transportation system. This includes optimizing routes and leveraging technology to streamline operations.
Here Comes the Bus GPS Mapping: In response to feedback from both drivers and families, GPS mapping has been integrated into our fleet. The "Here Comes the Bus" App facilitates communication with families and enables route and fleet monitoring to improve safety and efficiency. We acknowledge that the system may have some initial issues but are confident that it will improve over time.
Student/Route Tracking: We have introduced a student scanning system for boarding and disembarking the bus, aiming to expedite the process. We encourage students to have their identification ready for scanning or consider storing it as a picture or in an app like Apple Wallet for seamless boarding and exiting.
Activity Bus: We are in the process of acquiring a white activity passenger bus that will assist in lowering the number of double routes by being available to transport extracurricular activities.
Open Communication: We believe in transparent communication with our families. If there are disruptions or changes in transportation schedules, we will inform you promptly and provide alternative solutions. A daily transportation update is provided to better inform families of changes. Families may find the updates in the Transportation Documents section of the website here and on the live feed of each school and District page. Updates on transportation will also be shared via push notifications via the District app.
Community Engagement: We value your input. We are open to suggestions and feedback from our families and the community at large. Your insights can help us make informed decisions and improve our transportation services.
Your Support Matters
While we work diligently to overcome these challenges, your support is invaluable. Here are a few ways you can assist us in ensuring a smooth transportation experience for all students:
Be punctual: Help us maintain schedules by having your children ready for pick-up and drop-off on time. Please help remind your students to have their ID ready to scan when boarding and disembarking the bus.
Safety first: Remind your children about the importance of following safety rules while on the bus.
Open communication: Your input matters. We believe that our community's insights are invaluable in shaping the future of our transportation services. By answering the question, "What suggestions or ideas do you have that can help us further enhance our transportation services and ensure a better experience for our students and the community?" you have the opportunity to directly influence positive changes in how we serve our students and families. Your feedback is a vital part of our commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring the safety, reliability, and quality of our transportation services. We genuinely appreciate your time and effort in helping us make informed decisions that benefit everyone in our school community. You can share your insights here.
Maintain a positive outlook as we all work together to provide the best possible experience for students and families. Negativity on social media platforms affects all staff members, their families, and makes recruitment and retention of drivers more challenging.
Bus Driver Recruitment: Becoming a school bus driver is a rewarding experience that benefits both our schools and community. Our drivers have forged meaningful connections with students and residents alike. Your support can make a significant impact - help us spread the word and recruit new drivers. Encourage potential candidates to apply at https://tinyurl.com/yn9rd4c6. Together, we can continue fostering these invaluable connections!
Conclusion
School bus transportation is more than just a service; it's a commitment to the education and well-being of your children. As we navigate the challenges faced by school districts nationwide, we want you to know that we are dedicated to finding solutions that ensure the reliability and safety of our transportation system.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through these challenges together. Your trust in Rochester Schools is essential, and we are honored to serve you and your children.
Thank you for being part of our school community.
It's a great day to be a Rocket!
Be the Difference,
Dan W. Cox, Superintendent