Bleak Times Again!

The ups and downs of life are no fun...and right now I'm in a down spiral...It looks like I will be unemployed AGAIN..through no fault but my own.

I had another accident with the bus last week..although all minor, this does make 3 "preventable" accidents in the last year..the first was last March when I didn't set the air brake and rolled into the bus ahead of me in the line up at the school..there was no damage to either buses but I still had to report it...then in December I "supposedly" ran into another bus while parking at the shop to get my bus repaired..I say supposedly because although I knew I was close to the other bus (parking is tight at the shop) I did not think I hit it...but the mechanics said I did so it's on my record..there was slight damage to both buses...then this past week while pulling out of the school I hit another bus (parked on the side of the road) with my cross over mirror..it put a scratch on her bus and bent my mirror (which the mechanic straightened)...All the county allows is 3 accidents in a year and then you can be terminated.
I was given a chance to resign on Friday by my supervisor but chose NOT to. So now I will have a meeting with the Transportation Manager scheduled on Monday.
I've decided that I will read a statement rather than to try to talk off the top of my head, since I usually end up not saying what I want when I try to do that..I'm so much better at writing than I am of talking...

So far this is what I've come up with....
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Rather than to resign, I’ve chosen to come here to plead with you to give me another chance at keeping my job.
I don’t want you to think that I take the reason why I’m here lightly, I don’t. I will not make excuses and tell you that it’s all a mistake. The facts are what they are. I have had 3 preventable accidents in the last 12 months, 2 of them in the last 3 month. And although they were minor and occurred without students on board, they still occurred. I can wish they didn’t happen but that doesn’t change the facts.
Since my meeting with Cathy on Friday morning, I’ve done considerable thinking about why I need & want this job.
I will be 59 years old next month and for the first time in my life I feel that I am working at something that I really want to do, enough that I don’t want to just walk away without a fight.
I’ve spent the past weekend looking at what is available to me out there in the job market, and feel that my future is bleak without this job. As we all know there isn’t much out there at this time. At my age and with the economy the way it is, all I can see for me at this time would to be collect unemployment, something I’ve never done. As I have no savings left or any other monies coming in since I’m a widow, I will not be able to live on that and I will lose everything I have. This scares me. I need this job.
But the monies are only a part of the reason why I’m asking for another chance. I not only need this job but I want it.
I don’t look at being a bus manager as just a job but feel that I am doing something worthwhile. I am being entrusted with people’s children to see that they are safely taken to and from school…I do take this trust seriously, as if these students were my own child or grandchildren and would never put them in jeopardy.. For the first time in my life I feel that I am serving a purpose.
I know that I am a good employee…I’m reliable. I show up to work on time every day. I’ve only missed one day of work since I’ve started to work for Gwinnett County Schools.
I try to have a good attitude because I really do enjoy the challenge of the job. I probably get too personally attached to the students on my routes, but I see each of them as individuals and try to treat them with the respect that is due to them.
I’ve taken on other responsibilities such as Community Skills and working with the Evacuation Team not just for the extra hours & monies but because I feel they are an important part of the job. They also serve a purpose.
So I am asking you to take a chance on me and I will give you my promise that I will be the most conscientious & careful driver you have. I will do whatever you deem is necessary for me to do to keep my position.
No matter what your decision is today, I thank you for taking the time today to listen to me.
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Wish me luck & If anyone out there has any suggestions I welcome them..