Florence Unified School District
Transportation/Support Services Department – Administrator’s Report
October,2017
Transportation Highlights
Transportation is busy during break interviewing and training new drivers. We have had several applicants who have seen our banner on Hunt Hwy advertising for Bus Drivers. The process in hiring new drivers could take up to two to three weeks before a new applicant is training in a bus. We have several current bus drivers who have taken the written test to become Behind the Wheel trainers through DPS. Each new driver will be assigned to a trainer; this trainer will show the trainee how to conduct a pre-trip before they ever get behind the wheel of a school bus. Once the trainee is comfortable with their pre-trip then the driving will begin. Each trainee is different therefore the training time will vary. The last step is to schedule 3rd party testing for the trainee and submit all paperwork to DPS for a School Bus Certification. We hope to have at least ten (10) new drivers ready and on the road before we return from Christmas break.
The Arizona Department of Transportation conducted their annual school bus inspections and we are pleased to announce that all our school buses passed inspection! Our mechanics take great care of our school buses and look forward to annual inspections. Although they worry some, these inspections ensure them that they are doing their job correctly and thoroughly. They take great pride in their work and these inspections show that they are great at what they do… Kudos to our mechanics for a job well done!!!
Also during our break, mechanics have been changing tires and servicing the buses. They are also catching up on patching torn seats and other minor repairs.
Facilities Highlights
There were 874 work orders completed last month, 79 new requests and 162 work in progress. Staff has ordered the remaining locks for San Tan Heights to finish up the change to FUSD key series. They are alsocompleting the quarterly pm inspections and changing AC filters.
Project Staff worked on the water heaters at Mountain Vista, Circle Cross and Walker Butte; they also repaired wash sinks and ordered parts. The main sewer line at Walker Butte was repair and a steamer was installed at San Tan Height K8 school.
The State Fire Marshal performed the DHS inspections at Walker Butte, Steam Academy, Circle Cross Ranch, Skyline Ranch and San Tan Heights. There were minor repairs - new wiring was installed for the fire alarm system which was damaged by contracts at the Florence High School main gym, exit signs were repaired at Walker Butte and Skyline Ranch. Rusted pipes were removed and replaced for the fire sprinkler riser at Copper Basin.
Staff also repaired the soccer goal posts at all schools; worked on soccer fields and baseball fields for upcoming K8 sports. The Inmate Crewprepared the Johnson Ranch lower campus for County move in; installed carpeting where needed and laid artificial turf at the Mountain Vista Pre-K. They also prepared the ground at Florence High School for the FFA garden, poured a concreted slab at Poston Butte High School for their greenhouse and fabricated and repaired chairs, tables and desks in the welding shop.
Routine maintenance at all schools – cleaning and polishing floors and painting where needed. The AC crew removed the VFD (motor speed controller) on the chiller water pressure at Poston Butte and had it repaired in Phoenix. By taking it to the vendor, this saved the school district $400; this is the second drive that has been taken in for repairs.