Transportation Services
Bus Driver Training Agency
Kent ISD operates a Transportation Training Agency certified by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to provide state mandated bus driver certification classes for public and private schools operating within the Kent ISD and the Ionia County Intermediate School Districts (ICISD).
Bus Driver Safety Education Classes
BEGINNING SCHOOL BUS DRIVER (BSBD) TRAINING
The Beginner class is comprised of 18 hours of instruction. Typically, Beginner classes are offered in the evenings over 5 nights or during the daytime over 5 days (Tues, Wed & Thurs the first week and then Tues & Thursday the following week unless otherwise indicated). Training begins promptly at 6:00 PM for evening dates and at 9:30 AM for the day trainings. The summer Beginner classes (early June) are held during the daytime and run for three days (Tues, Wed & Thurs) beginning promptly at 8:00 AM. Beginning School Bus Driver classes for the 2021/22 school year are listed below.
Receipt of Enrollment Cards
Once enrolled in a Beginning School Bus Driver Course, a qualified enrollee may be issued a temporary certificate (white card) to drive a school bus. We cannot guarantee that enrollment cards will be processed on a same-day basis. Please allow 2-3 business days to receive enrollment letters and cards in the mail. Please remember that although districts may enroll drivers in any of these classes, enrollment cards cannot be submitted until 90 days prior to the enrolled class date. This temporary driving certificate (white card) is valid for up to 10 days following completion of the beginning bus driver class. Please remind your driver that only ONE white card will be issued. If they do NOT attend these classes or even miss one class, FOR ANY REASON, they will NOT be issued another card and will not be able to drive after the expiration date on the card.
BEGINNER ENROLLMENT FORM HERE please download, complete and send to lynettealtman@kentisd.org
BSBD 2021-22 CLASSES
August 24, 25, 26, 31 September 2 2021 (9:30 am – 1:06 pm)
October 5, 6, 7, 12, 14 2021 (9:30 am – 1:06 pm)
November 9, 10, 11, 16, 18 2021 (6:00 – 9:36 pm)
December 7 ,8, 9, 14, 16 2021 (9:30 am – 1:06 pm)
January 25, 26, 27 February 1, 3 2022 (9:30 am – 1:06 pm)
March 8, 9, 10, 15, 17 2022 (6:00 – 9:36 pm)
April 19, 20, 21, 26, 28 2022 (9:30 am – 1:06 pm)
June 7, 8, 9 2022 (8:00 am – 2:30 pm)
CONTINUING SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TRAINING
The Advanced class is a state-mandated continuing education requirement. Typically, Advanced classes are offered in the daytime and run for 6 hours beginning at 8:00 AM unless otherwise indicated. Breaks during the class will be determined by the instructor with class input as to number and duration. Attendance is required for all six hours in order to successfully complete this class. Lunch is NOT provided.
Green cards will not be sent until mid-September 2021.
(Please Note: Per the State of Michigan Pupil Transportation Public Act 187, Section 257.1851: Every current school bus driver holding a green or yellow education card that expires on Sept. 30, 2021 must attend a six-hour school bus driver continuing education class by that expiration date.)
We have secured the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (600 Forest Hills Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49456) for our Continuing Bus Driver classes. The training dates are listed below and will have a 200 driver maximum capacity. The class count will be updated at the end of each day.
Classes will be held from 8:00 am - 2:30 pm with a 1/2 hour lunch from 11-11:30 am. Lunch is on your own. NO food or drinks will be allowed in the training room unless it is water!
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| Tuesday, August 3, 2021 | 115 spots available |
| Friday, August 6, 2021 | 109 spots available |
| Monday, August 9, 2021 | 82 spots available |
| Wednesday, August 11, 2021 | 62 spots available |
Drivers who do not complete the continuing education requirement by September 30, 2021 will be required to complete the 18 hour (3 to 5 days) Beginning School Bus Driver Training course in order to remain legally eligible to drive a school bus.
CONTACT LYNETTE ALTMAN AT lynettealtman@kentisd.org or (616) 365-2387 TO ENROLL IN AN ADVANCED CLASS
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SELF-EMPLOYED DRIVERS
Although most school bus drivers are enrolled into a continuing education class by the school district or contractor for which they work, there are also many drivers who are SELF-EMPLOYED. A driver is considered to be SELF-EMPLOYED if he/she falls into one of the following categories:
- Retired school bus driver
- School bus driver in between employers (or unemployed)
If you are a self-employed driver and you wish to keep your driving credentials current, you must enroll yourself. Please contact Lynette Altman at lynettealtman@kentisd.org.
TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISORS
Next training cycle will take place in 2022.
Mark Higgins Transportation Coordinator (616) 365-2257 / markhiggins@kentisd.org
Lynette Altman Class Scheduler (616) 365-2387 / lynettealtman@kentisd.org
