state level issues

State Level IssuesFlorida Department of Education

School Transportation Management325 W. Gaines Street, Room 834

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400(850) 245-9795

Who Are We?What Do We Do?

Our Mission…

• The School Transportation Management Section provides leadership, assistance, and training for school districts and other clients to ensure safe and efficient transportation of Florida's public school students.

• This section is also responsible for instituting industry campaigns pertaining to safety.

Director, Charlie HoodSpecialist, Terri Egler

Specialist, Jamie Warrington

Specialist, Bud Fletcher

What Do We Do?

• Provide technical support and guidance to school districts in the areas of:– School Bus Operator training.– School Bus Operator Basic Curriculum Instructor training

and certification.– School Bus Attendant training.– Fleet training.– School Bus Inspector testing and certification – CDL Tester training.

What Do We Do? (con’t)• Research state statutes/laws and issue

recommendations or suggestions.• Develop training programs.• Conduct and maintain state-wide surveys.• Provide on-site/in-service training when

available.• Provide on-line meeting and webinar

services.• Provide customer service to the public with

regards to school transportation matters.

School Bus Driver’s Curriculum • Guidance to easily locate and navigate the document.• First you must visit www.faptflorida.org • Then find the School Bus Drivers Curriculum file along the left

side border of the home page (click on the tab.)• Finally select the information needed, the book is broken

down into four basic groups: a) cover and introduction; b) units and power points; c) tests; and finally d) appendices.

• By becoming more familiar with the curriculum information you can improve your driving and reactionary skills which will help you become a safer, more knowledgeable bus operator.

Useful resources and websites:

• www.FAPTFlorida.org (curriculum and other items)

• www.fldoe.org/transportation• www.FloridaSchoolBusSafety.gov• www.NCSTOnline.org• www.americanschoolbuscouncil.org

Law Hierarchy

• Regulations: Federal• Statutes: State • Rules: Agency• Policy: Local Government

What’s Happening Out There?

Medical Examiner’s Certificate

• No changes to content• New format allows for printing on

desktop printer• You can still use the old format form

(11” X 17”)• Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) is

on page 5

National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME)

• Goes into effect on May 21, 2014• Recent DOE guidance from General Counsel

states that school districts are exempt from having to comply with 49 CFR 391.42

• Many districts are continuing the move toward only using NRCME physicians, as it is expected to become a requirement in the future.

OSA – Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• FMCSA tried to push through rulemaking that required OSA testing if CDL holders met certain indicators for possible OSA

• Congress passed, and the President signed, legislation that required FMCSA to follow the proper rulemaking process, effectively stopping the FMCSA from proceeding with implementation

• The OSA requirement is several years away from implementation, if it ever becomes a reality

Dexterity Test

• Nothing has changed with regards to the Dexterity Test, except the size of the certificate.

DOE Class Registration

• Registrations are online• Maximum and minimum requirements are in

place for Curriculum Instructor and CDL Tester classes, and are going to be strictly adhered to

• Districts must be current on previous FAPT invoices before being placed in classes

• All pre-requisites must be met to be accepted into classes

Final Reminders

• Please contact DOE when there is a significant crash

• School districts are required to assist Charter Schools

• DO NOT tell parents that “Tallahassee Made Us Do It!”

Questions?

Thank You!

Bud Fletcher - Operations, Driver Training & FleetBud.Fletcher@fldoe.org (850) 245-9928Jamie Warrington - ESE, Operations & CDL

Jamie.Warrington@fldoe.org (850) 245-9927