Western Technical College Newsletter

Clint ISD Teams With WTC-Special by Laura Cade & Gilbert Marquez of Clint ISD

In Clint Independent School District, like so many other districts, meeting the demands of hiring highly trained technicians to maintain the school buses has always been a challenge. Today's school bus technicians not only have to understand the special requirements of operating a bus fleet but must also be able to keep up with constant technological innovations from manufacturers (computerized drive trains, emission controls, etc.).

Gilbert Marquez, Shop Foreman of Clint ISD Transportation Services, joined Clint ISD after retiring from the U.S. Army. As Foreman, he discovered that the district's diesel and gasoline technicians had a work load that far exceeded the national average. He also learned that due to budget constraints he would be unable to hire additional technicians.

This tough situation did not stop Mr. Marquez from taking on the challenge of finding a solution to the problem. He approached Western Technical College to find out if they had an externship program. Western Technical College in El Paso did have such a program and were very cooperative in developing a partnership with the Clint ISD Transportation Services.

Mr. Marquez took on the challenge as a matter of necessity. He found that the senior staff members could change oil and filters, rotate tires and repair anything else mechanical. When it came to the technical side, Mr. Marquez found that the department was way behind. The department needed diagnostic equipment and trained staff to implement a successful preventive maintenance program. Western Technical College had a wealth of young technicians with the knowledge he was looking for but no real world working experience. "I felt if I brought together the old with the new this would balance my staff and operations," says Marquez.

The Department of Transportation currently has two students from Western Technical College working 20 hours a week for 30 days. The students are receiving mentorship, "real world experience", and an understanding of school bus fleet operation. It is a win-win situation for Clint ISD and Western Technical College. The district technicians and the students have been cross training each other. The experienced veteran staff members are learning from the young highly trained technicians and vice versa. "I feel that every school district transportation department that is fortunate enough to have a vocational college nearby should develop a relationship and team up. It has been worth every hour for both the student and my shop," says Marquez.