At the Sept. 26 joint subcommittee meeting of Springfield Public Schools, Assistant Chief Ricardo Gurev presented the district's approach to selecting and training bus monitors and crossing guards, focusing on candidate screening, onboarding and ongoing refresher training.

Gurev said all candidates for bus monitor and crossing-guard positions undergo Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks and reference checks through human resources, and that selection emphasizes patience, communication skills and student-management ability. "We emphasize patience, communication skills, and student management when dealing with them, whether in the on the bus or at the crosswalk," he said.

He described an onboarding process conducted by the transportation department that covers student behavior, emergency evacuations, mandated reporting and record-keeping of assigned competencies. Managers in transportation are the first point of contact for bus monitors and crossing guards; Gurev said managers follow department protocols and oversee communication with drivers and posts.

When asked by a committee member whether CORI checks are repeated, Gurev said there is a cycle for existing employees and new hires; he indicated the recurring check is on a three-year cycle and confirmed new hires receive CORI checks immediately. Committee members discussed situational hazards at specific crosswalks as part of the safety context.

Action: following the school-safety discussion the subcommittee adjourned. A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.

The district emphasized continual refresher trainings and visibility/awareness by monitors and guards. Gurev said trainings are recorded and competencies assigned so the department can track completion and compliance.