Transportation Services
Bus Driver Training Agency
The 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 (Tues, Wed & Thurs the 1st week and then Tues & Thursday the following week unless otherwise indicated). Training begins promptly at 6:00 PM. The summer Beginner classes 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 2019/20 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.
BSBD 2019-2020 CLASSES
August 27, 28, 29 September 3, 5 2019 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
October 1, 2, 3, 8, 10 2019 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
November 12, 13, 14, 19, 21 2019 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
December 3, 4, 5, 10, 12 2019 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
February 4, 5, 6, 11, 13 2020 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
March 10, 11, 12, 17, 19 2020 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
April 21, 22, 23, 29, 30 2020 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
June 9, 10, 11 2020 - (8:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
ADVANCED 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.
(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, 2019 must attend a six-hour school bus driver continuing education class by that expiration date.)
Drivers who do not complete this continuing education requirement by September 30, 2019 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.
Advanced School Bus Driver classes for the 2018/2019 school year are listed below. Classes are held at Kent ISD unless noted. Other classes will be added as necessary. Green cards will be sent in mid September 2019. Thank you!
OUR CONTINUING BUS DRIVER CLASSES ARE COMPLETED. YOU WILL NEED TO SEARCH FOR OTHER CLASSES IN THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES TO KEEP YOUR GREEN CARD ACTIVE.
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.
TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISORS
Mandated Transportation Supervisor Training
https://mistreamnet.org/videos/3954/c-enrolling-in-and-completing-the-online-courses
Please check back at a later date. Classes will be held this school year (2019/20) since your Supervisor cards will expire on 9/30/2020.
ARCHIVED TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR TRAINING TOPICS
Mark Higgins Transportation Coordinator (616) 365-2257 / markhiggins@kentisd.org
Lynette Altman Class Scheduler (616) 365-2387 / lynettealtman@kentisd.org