In recognition of recent innovative transportation initiatives, Houston Independent School District has been named a District of Distinction by District Administration magazine. The Transportation Department was lauded for programs meant to improve the operational efficiency and safety of its buses and drivers, including its safety-oriented driver training and “green” bus fleet.
Houston ISD was among 49 districts that were honored in the inaugural round of the publication’s new national recognition program. Andres Montes, senior manager of fleet operations at HISD, told STN their transportation department was the only school bus provider in the nation recognized for this award.
“We are pleased to honor Houston Independent School District as a District of Distinction,” said J.D. Solomon, Editorial director of the magazine. “Like all our honorees, the district serves as a model for school leaders across the country.”
The magazine pointed to achievements such as the School Bus Tracker program, implemented in 2012, which works in conjunction with the buses’ GPS to show if a bus is delayed due to traffic or other conditions. The initiative has reduced campus complaints and telephone calls for the past two years.
Since 2012, HISD has worked to ensure that school bus drivers and attendants are trained to handle emergency situations that could arise on the school bus. In-house safety trainers took courses in crisis prevention and learned American Red Cross First Aid and CPR. At the start of this school year, novice as well as veteran drivers underwent emergency evacuation training complete with simulated smoke (pictured, above).
In the 2012-2013 school year, the Transportation Department created a video to more effectively communicate bus safety rules to children and parents. As a result of the enhanced safety training, the number of student incidents on buses has dropped considerably.
Another goal the district achieved was minimizing the amount of pollutants emitted by its buses. Since the end of 2012, all 1,000 buses have been converted from diesel to biodiesel, which is considered about 75 percent cleaner than diesel. To further clean up its fleet, the district secured nearly $3 million in grants to purchase propane-powered buses and a fueling station. Nearly 90 percent of the district’s buses are now biodiesel and 10 percent propane.
“The HISD Transportation Department works to improve lives and build trust in our community by providing exceptional service that creates a safe and caring environment. All three of our projects achieved this goal. Our green fleet keeps pollution down, compelling training keeps children safe and our school bus tracker keeps campus administrators informed,” says Nathan Graf, general manager of transportation.
