State directors of pupil transportation can wear many hats when it comes to fulfilling their job responsibilities, in some cases more than a dozen at a time. And you thought you had it rough.

School Transportation News recently surveyed them to find out exactly which of the 16 common job functions they, or their office, are responsible for.

While job functions varied from state to state, many were nearly universal. Thirty-eight of the 46 responding state directors said they are responsible for policy development. Similarly, 38 of the responding directors said they oversee school bus driver training in their state driver training — but, notably, not the same 38.

Only six said they are responsible for CDL licensing, though 21 indicated they are responsible for other forms of school bus licensing.

While just less than half are involved in a developing state pupil transportation budgets, slightly more than half are involved in fiscal monitoring. The state directors in Florida, Texas and Oregon, for example, are involved in developing budgets, but not monitoring them.

Of course, the responsibilities of state directors can also encompass much more than just what goes on in and around the school bus. One was responsible for “training farm labor,” and another for “nutritional training.” Others were responsible for everything from driver’s and motorcycle education to school and Homeland Security.

Describing her workload, one state director may have put it best by saying: “My job is varied, hectic and exciting.”

Reprinted from the March 2007 issue of School Transportation News magazine. All rights reserved.