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 first 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 2020/21 school year are listed below. DUE TO COVID-19, we are not holding any in-house trainings until further notice. This will be re-evaluated for possible extension on a month by month basis in coordination with the Kent County Health Department.
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 2020-21 CLASSES
Our October BSBD classes will occur virtually/online. We are not certain of the exact times that the trainings will take place nor do we have the link for the training. When we have this information, we will send out an email to the transportation supervisor.
August 25, 26, 27 September 1, 3 2020 (6:00 - 9:36 PM) ~ CANCELLED
October 6, 7, 8, 12 13 2020 (virtually 9:30 am - 1:06 pm)) - CLOSED
November 10, 11, 12, 17, 19 2020 (Time TBD) - 6 spots open
December 8, 9, 10, 15, 17 2020 (Time TBD)
January 26, 27, 28 February 2, 4, 2021 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
March 9, 10, 11, 16, 18 2021 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
April 20, 21, 22, 27, 29 2021 (6:00 - 9:36 PM)
June 8, 9, 10 2021 (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, 2021 must attend a six-hour school bus driver continuing education class by that expiration date.)
OUR CONTINUING BUS DRIVER CLASSES WILL BE SCHEDULED SOON.
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.
TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISORS
Mandated Transportation Supervisor Training
https://mistreamnet.org/videos/3954/c-enrolling-in-and-completing-the-online-courses
Your supervisor cards will expire on 9/30/2020.
The on-line option for Part 1 of the Supervisor’s Continuing Education Program is almost ready. Prior to accessing the on-line curriculum, supervisors will need to complete a registration form (see link below). This form will collect the necessary information to allow you to create a user account. Please register as soon as possible. This will allow for faster access to the on-line curriculum once it is released. If you have any questions or if you experience any problems, please let us know. Here is the link to the course registration form for Part 1: https://forms.gle/8YXdAduqjxFTUpkUA.
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
