GFN-P1 - Bus Driver Evaluation

The Transportation Supervisor shall be responsible for the evaluation of all School Bus Drivers.  The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the performance of the individual Driver and to identify strengths and weaknesses in order to advise and assist the Driver in the performance of his/her duties.

Bus Drivers will be evaluated at least once during the probationary period for new employees.  A recommendation accompanying the evaluation reports shall be submitted to the Secretary Treasurer’s department before the end of the probationary period.  The normal process would be as follows:

1. Applicant is trained and tested;

2. Applicant becoming Spare Driver is approved and placed on Spare Driver list;

3. Bus Driver is evaluated once during the first six months;

4. Spare Driver is re-evaluated prior to becoming a Regular Driver;

5. In the event that a new trainee is employed as a Regular Driver step number two (2) would not apply.

Regular Drivers will be evaluated once every three years or at the discretion of the Transportation Supervisor.  Reports shall be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer’s department on or before June 30th of the applicable year.

All Bus Driver evaluation reports shall be signed by the Transportation Supervisor and the Driver, with provision for comments by either party, and placed in the employee’s permanent file.

Subject to receiving prior approval of the Board, the Transportation Supervisor may use qualified Phase III School Bus Driver Instructors or qualified evaluators from outside the Division for evaluation.

Revised June 10, 2014

The evaluation report (See GFN-E1) is to be used as an evaluation tool, for on route current Driver follow-ups, not for Driver training.  If this report is being used as a follow-up, be sure that the Driver being evaluated is aware of the reasons for the follow-up.  Review the evaluation report, prior to the run, with the Driver.  Do not engage the Driver in unnecessary conversation during the route trip.  Discuss the evaluation results with the Driver in private.

Purposes of Evaluation

1. To ensure that Drivers maintain a high degree of driving proficiency.

2. To assist Drivers to continually improve skills and knowledge.

3. To promote the ongoing professional development of School Bus Drivers.

4. To review and document the performance of Drivers so that areas requiring improvement may be identified and improved.

5. To provide an ongoing record of the Driver’s skills and abilities.

Procedures

1. Every Regular Bus Driver will have an evaluation report completed on a regular basis, at the discretion of the Transportation Supervisor, but at least every three years.

2. Evaluations on a more frequent basis will be conducted for bona fide reasons such as complaints received from the public, remedial review of performance problems, etc.

3. The evaluation will include a “Behind the Wheel Evaluation Report” (GFN-E1), a “Bus Driver’s Evaluation Report” (GFN-E1).

4. The evaluations, including areas requiring improvement, will be reviewed with the Driver who will have an opportunity to respond in writing.  The Driver will sign the reports as acknowledgment that they have been discussed with him/her.

5. The completed evaluation reports, including the Driver’s comments, if any, will form a permanent part of the confidential personnel file of the Driver.

6. Areas requiring remedial improvement will be followed up, as necessary, by the Supervisor and the Driver.  Retraining in whole, if necessary, or in part in the specific areas of weakness may be required with re-evaluation taking place after the retraining.

7. Upon recommendation of the Transportation Supervisor, the Division may require a Driver to re-certify as a School Bus Driver as required by the applicable provincial regulation. Arrangements for, and the costs of re-certification, will be borne by the Division.

8. Evaluations can be performed by the Transportation Supervisor, and/or certified Driver Instructors.

9. Access to the evaluation of a Bus Driver will be allowed only to the following:  a) the Transportation Supervisor b) the Secretary-Treasurer’s department c) the Board of Trustees by formal notification, provided the Bus Driver has been notified verbally and by letter.