There was a simpler time when running the school buses required straightforward tasks. You planned a schedule, hired local residents to drive the buses, and ordered the fuel. No more!

Your program must now comply with a variety of federal and state regulations, new driver certificate requirements, and environmental protection rules for storage. And don’t forget contract negotiations, computer management skills, insurance issues, and vehicle purchasing requirements. Managing a student transportation system now involves advanced knowledge and skills.

A team of practicing transportation managers, who felt a need for professional development, developed the Pupil Transportation Management Training Program. This team has received assistance and input from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Central Washington University. The certificate program, which is administered by a steering committee made up of representatives from the field, will document a planned program of professional growth.

How Will the Pupil Transportation Manager Certificate help you?

• The certificate can become a permanent document of your personnel file
• It will be useful for informing present or future employers of your professional preparation
• The credit coursework may be beneficial for salary purposes
• The college credit offered by CWU may be transferrable to an AA or BA program

The program consists of two sections, the Transportation Core and Professional Skills Enhancement Electives. Completion of the two sections will lead to a non-state licensed graduation certificate. The Transportation Core consists of three 34-hour levels offered during the summer at Central Washington University, a term project, and a follow-up meeting during the fall. These classes will be specific to the needs of the school transportation manager and will be offered with a three-credit option. Participants do not have to be pursuing the full certificate program to take part in the summer Core levels. A certificate of completion will be given at the end of each Core level. The Professional Skills Enhancement Electives are generic courses offered by community colleges, universities and, in some cases, staff development programs. Program participants complete electives at their own pace. Previous applicable credit course work may be used to meet these requirements.

The program makes use of college-credit course work to maximize the potential of applicability to a college degree program. Arrangements for an AA or BA program are up to the individual. Most of these courses will be offered by community colleges as evening courses. Participants might also check with their staff development program about release time for some of the offerings.

Course Entry Requirements
Entry into the Pupil Transportation Management Training Program will involve the following procedures:

1. Completion of a Student Data Sheet.
2. A letter of application will be required from each person seeking entry into the program, this letter needs to address the following topics:
   • Why the applicant is interested in participating in the program?
   • What are the applicant's short-range and long-range career goals?
3. One or more letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant's professional qualifications. The letter(s) should indicate how the applicant would benefit from the Pupil Transportation Management Training Program.
   • Receipt of the applicant's data sheet, letter of application and the letter(s) of recommendation will result in the formation of an applicant file and its submittal to the Pupil Transportation Management Training Program Steering Committee for review and action. Approval by the Pupil Transportation Management Training Program Steering Committee will result in the applicant being placed on an acceptance list.
   • Registration packets will be mailed out during the month of March. The registration form and deadline will be included in the packet. Registration fee ($395) must be paid in full by the last Friday in June. Participants wishing to take the course for three credits per year from Central Washington University must also pay optional tuition fees ($150). A late fee will be applied to the registration if payment or a purchase order has not been received by the due date.
   • Included with the registration packet will be additional information including room & board, maps, activities, and miscellaneous information.

Completion Requirements
The following course options are available to program participants:

• Audit: Participation on a space available basis only. Following the completion of all registration forms and payment of all fees as apply, a student may:
  • Attend one or more of the scheduled daily sessions
  • Take or not take daily quizzes
  • Complete or not complete individual annual projects
  No formal recognition of participation will be given.
• Annual Participation: Following completion of all registration forms and payment of all fees, a student will:
  • Attend all scheduled daily class sessions
  • Take all daily quizzes and earn a composite, passing grade
  • Satisfactorily complete a project
  • Have the option to register for three credits from Central Washington University. A student must earn a passing grade to receive any certificate.
  A certificate will be presented for successful completion of each annual class.
• Dates to Remember
  • March: Early registration forms will be mailed to people on the Level 1 Waiting List (those who submitted registrations and fees the previous year but were not the first 30 received)
  • Late March: All other registration (Level 1–Level 4) will be mailed
  • Confirmation letters will be sent when registration and tuition are received.
  • June: The last day to register for CWU is last working day in June—but don’t delay, classes fill up fast! Only thirty students are accepted per class. The last day to cancel is last working day in June. Room, board, and credit fee will be refundable with a $25 cancellation charge if received by last working day in June.