The Yellow Board

CDL

Posted by Karlheinz on 5/21/2022, 10:24 am

Has a CDL requirement ever kept your from applying for position? Has it ever been a reason that you have left a position?

Re: CDL

Posted by DudeBro on 5/25/2022, 2:05 pm, in reply to "CDL"

I had a CDL which was required for my position.
After a few years, I could not pass my yearly physical, because I made the mistake of checking the box that said I snored.
The doc said that that combined with my BMI presented worries of Sleep Apnea. I was told I had to get a sleep study.
When I presented the issue that I could not afford a $1,500 sleep study to my Superintendent, he said, "well, I'd hate for you to not come back next year because you can't drive a bus."
At that moment, I knew that was my last year there.
Not having my CDL will mean that some jobs will just be unavailable to me, but I'm fine with that. The bus driving part of band directing was sometimes miserably exhausting and downright unsafe.
No regrets

Re: CDL

Posted by Ethics? on 5/24/2022, 2:56 pm, in reply to "CDL"

I was asked, along with my fellow band directors, to a CDL many years ago (very small school - bus drivers were in short supply). Took the training then...none of us ever went and took the test. The principal asked us several times throughout the year to go take the test, but we never did. Then the principal got non-renewed and we never heard about it again.

Asking band directors or coaches to teach a full workday, then drive a bus/monitor kids, then work the football game/marching contest, then drive the bus/monitor kids on the way back is, in my opinion, both unsafe and unethical. I would absolutely resign if it admin was forcing a CDL.

Re: CDL

Posted by NVBD on 5/23/2022, 11:48 am, in reply to "CDL"

I've never let the need for a CDL to keep me from applying or interviewing, though I believe it has kept me from getting a position or 2 when I tell them in the interview that I won't be able to get one due to a vision impairment.

Every district I have worked for though has asked for the directors to get one. And without fail each director is able to get themselves medically excused in some way or another.

Re: CDL

Posted by Dilerium on 5/23/2022, 8:41 am, in reply to "CDL"

I've only had one job that required a CDL. I already had one, so I don't know how hard they would have pushed for me to get it. It wasn't a deal-breaker for me. What I would be more concerned about is an administrative culture that prioritizes the district's needs over student safety. If a band director or coach says that he/she is unsafe, the admin should pay attention. I believe that a person who does not want a CDL should not get a CDL. It's the same for a kid in band -- if someone doesn't want to be in band, he/she shouldn't be in band. To do otherwise only creates misery for everyone involved. In the case of a CDL, it can also create a tragedy.

In my case, I have retired and used my CDL to get a job driving a motorcoach. I work maybe three or four days a week and, with TRS, take home more $$$ than I did teaching. The days can get long, but they're not any longer than a day in a band director's life and there is a lot less stress.

Re: CDL

Posted by Colby on 5/23/2022, 7:14 am, in reply to "CDL"

I drove my band on Friday nights. Transportation had a driver that had a heart attack and I was asked to do a route temporarily until a replacement could be found. I was the only director and this kept me from working with my kids before and after school.

After a month when I started pushing to get out this "temporary assignment" I received a directive from the supe to continue driving and this was a permanent route for me now. Our ratings and morale in the program fell.

In the end going to another district was the only way out. Much happier now.

Re: CDL

Posted by CDL on 5/22/2022, 12:35 pm, in reply to "CDL"

It wasn't a requirement for my job, but yes, I do have a CDL. Honestly, it really isn't a big deal and actually makes things quite a bit easier for our situation. I don't always drive and I wouldn't have to do those long football games. Driving to UIL and those things actually gives me more control over things rather than having to wait for a driver to finish their routes.

Re: CDL

Posted by Percguy on 5/22/2022, 9:04 pm, in reply to "Re: CDL"

Agree with all of these things. I taught for many years in 5A and 6A districts, and it was infuriating always being at the beck and call of a disorganized transportation department. I've taught in small school districts for 6 years now, and I really appreciate driving my own bus, because I control when we leave, where we park, and when we come home. The district gets me drivers for long football games and big contests like Area Marching, but most of our games are 45-60 minutes away, and I don't have to plan departure times around bus routes. Plus, I get a small bonus for driving that essentially pays for my kids' Christmas each year. I never got paid extra to drive the percussion truck all of those years in the big schools.

Re: CDL

Posted by old dude on 5/22/2022, 9:16 pm, in reply to "Re: CDL"

Also agree. I had it for many years - in fact I just renewed my license and dropped back to a class A because paying for the DOT med exam every year (I'm retired) got really expensive.

I always drove anything that was not a full group. Loved the flexibility of not having to keep up with a driver or deal with routes. Also got paid for it, and the driver seat has a lot more legroom than the bus seat. It also gave me connections in the bus barn so if I needed to leave for a contest at a time that the power that be was telling me wouldn't work I could make a couple of calls and 'work it out.'

I was lucky in that I was never in a situation where they expected me to drive a full group, and I would have fought that, but I don't know that I wouldn't have still done it for the positive aspects. So don't just flat out reject the idea.

Re: CDL

Posted by Old dude on 5/21/2022, 7:24 pm, in reply to "CDL"

My present job the CDL question was asked. And No I don't have one, won't get one BECAUSE I can't pass the hearing test. Supt. said no problem. And yes I can honestly claim to be 95% deaf. Maybe that's why judges say my band plays with such enthusiam.(re.loud) If I was younger and had to do all that was necessary for the Fall semester with FB games, etc. I believe it would be unsafe for me to drive 120+ miles after a FB game. I drove 15 pass. vans to region etc, but that's totally different.

Re: CDL

Posted by RMSBD on 5/21/2022, 4:36 pm, in reply to "CDL"

Yes, it is the very reason I retired when I did as I was planning to teach a few more years than I did.

The superintendent decreed that the following school year all band directors in the district were being required to get a CDL.

After teaching 34 years in Texas and never having had to get one, I wasn't about to start in year 35.

Re: CDL

Posted by DesertJazz on 5/21/2022, 4:21 pm, in reply to "CDL"

I definitely won't give a job a second look if it requires a CDL. My mom is just retiring from driving a bus thirty six years - I have the utmost respect for drivers. I do not trust in my ability to be both a band director, monitor students, and safely drive extended hours. If we actually followed federal law for drivers in this state no one would be driving on most Friday nights unless they didn't come in until the afternoon on those days.

I was in a meeting once with a consultant superintendent, the districts leadership team, and a school board member or two. The consultant was pushing that every activity sponsor should be required to get their CDL. I pushed back hard - far more forcefully than was probably advisable, but at least was told by that superintendent as I left that I would never be required to drive a bus.

The real question for those districts that require this is how long they'll be able to keep it up? Requirements to get your CDL just got more involved, and it's a real question on how likely it is you'll be able to be a full-time certified employee and get your CDL now. I'm sure they'll find a way, but I can also say I won't find my way into one of those jobs myself.

Re: CDL

Posted by me on 5/21/2022, 1:59 pm, in reply to "CDL"

Yes, and yes!

Re: CDL

Posted by BDSO on 5/21/2022, 12:48 pm, in reply to "CDL"

Yes and yes. My first job made me get my CDL. I tried to get out of it but had to get it. I left that job because of it. Having to work all day then drive a bus every week for FB games (our stadium was five miles from the school and I had to drive the kids to and from even on home games) was a deal breaker. And, nearly every school was a 2-hour drive. My next job and current job don't have that requirement, but there are several jobs I didn't take or even apply for because of that reason. Coaches and band directors shouldn't have to drive a bus after putting in a full day's work. It isn't safe.

Re: CDL

Posted by Unfortunately on 5/22/2022, 5:24 pm, in reply to "Re: CDL"

Sooner or later there will be a big tragedy, and when people find out the director/coach put 16 plus hours, then drove a bus, there is going to be outrage. A lot of people don't really know that it happens.

Re: CDL

Posted by Unfortunately on 5/22/2022, 8:44 pm, in reply to "Re: CDL"

This "sooner or later" happens on average once a year, and nothing is done.

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