Open Source Content Management

Steve, here's a quick overview presented in an STN Webinar in February on this topic. You can view the webinar at http://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/5615/39919. Land mobile radio spectrum is a limited resource Device technology improvements promote spectrum efficiency through greater voice/data capacity FCC initiates narrowbanding proceeding in 1992, rules defined in WT Docket No. 99-87 Opportunity for additional land mobile spectrum allocations remote (1993 FCC receives auction authority) Applicable to 150-512 MHz systems only Applicable to both I/B and PS licensees Visit www.fcc.gov/narrowbanding

As the on-call bus driver pool is rather small compared to other classified employee sub groups it is very hard to cover a route with high absenteeism. Here are a few idea's that we have used. 1. Provide employees a monthly print out of their absence useage and discuss the benefits of banking their time verses using it. Furthermore, if their absences are excessive it is a great time to review policy, offer assistance as well as discuss possible corrective measures including disciplinary action. 2. We have a monthly drawing for two up front parking spaces clearly marked as "Employee of the Month" based on absenteeism. 3. Work with your union groups to assist in making changes to the collective barganing agreement as well as including them in reinforcing absenteeism.

So like with a lot of operational issues and considerations, it sounds like it all comes down to what's best for the individual district. Does anyone find that, in general, contracting or taking it in-house depends on whether the district is urban or rural?

We built a new facility and moved in January 2010. Our previous facility was a metal building once used as a volunter fire department. We have a district of 20 elementary schools, 4 high schools, 25,000 students, and have 168 buses. We built our state-of-the-art facility for approximately $14m with bond money. During the planning of this building (which is shared with the district facility maintenance department) the Director of Maintenance and myself (Director of Transportation) were involved in the weekly meetings with the architect to design the facility to suit our needs. I believe that we have one of the best facilities in Arizona because of the input from the users. We did research by visiting other facilities throughout Arizona and also out of state. I honestly could not be happier.

If we have Spanish speaking children in our program and on the buses, the Family Worker would give the driver and monitor a booklet with the most common words used in English & Spanish. For example: Good Morning and then the Spanish saying with how to say it. As for the parents, most know the common Good Morning, Bye, etc.