Jim McCann talks about Customer Service
Hundreds of Westerville City Schools employees took advantage of Educator Day Training offered on election day, when classes were not in session. Buildings were still bustling with activity as dozens of courses were given to both classified and licensed workers.
Rick Vilardo, Vice President of the Westerville City Schools Board of Education, welcomed the classified staff, calling them the “unsung heroes” of the district and expressing his appreciation for the work they do behind the scenes. “Thank you for the job you do, but more than that, thank you for the way in which you do it,” he said.
Retired Westerville North High School principal and local legend Jim McCann showed up to talk to the staff about how to manage difficult interactions. He advised the them to practice respect, patience, empathy, and listening attentively so all parties come away feeling heard.
Over in the Transportation Department, bus drivers learned, among other things, Q-Straint wheelchair training and how to fuel the new propane buses. In FY15 the District purchased three propane buses and in FY16, 15 propane buses were bought. It is projected that 40,000 gallons of propane will be used in the Westerville City School District this year. These buses average five miles per gallon. The District locked in the cost for the balance of the year at $1.20 per gallon. With the deductions of State and Federal rebates, we are paying 76 cents per gallon compared to $2 per gallon for diesel. Educator Day was used to teach all drivers the fueling process using the new propane facility located at the bus compound. Switching to propane, they learned, is not only cheaper and cleaner for the environment than diesel, but it is 100 percent American fuel, eliminating reliance on foreign oil.