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We discuss the potential impact of the national jobs report on school district budgets, the DOT’s non-domiciled CDL final rule and cutting-edge technology takeaways from the Geotab Connect conference. 

“It’s all about service: I went from servicing my country to now servicing my community.” Bernando Brown, director of student transportation for DeKalb County School District in Georgia, shares how his military experience shaped his work ethic, leadership style and focus on training and mentorship. He also discusses handling retention, budgeting and operational challenges.

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The post (STN Podcast E294) Boots to Buses: Military Formed Georgia Student Transportation Leader appeared first on School Transportation News.

Iowa started the new year with new and controversial school bus driver training courses.

House File 395 revises requirements for training and certification of school bus drivers in the state. It updates the criteria for what constitutes as an approved course of instruction for school bus drivers.

Prior to the new law taking effect, school bus drivers would take a 17-hour online course followed by a three-hour, in-person class. They had six months to complete the course after being hired. Annually, all drivers were required to attend a three-house in person refresher class to maintain their school bus authorization.

Now, the three-hour refresher course is optional.

The Controversy

“The change in state requirements that made annual bus driver training optional came as a surprise,” David Johnson, executive director of the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association, said of the controversial driver training update. “Some updates were necessary and were already underway before the bill passed—specifically, updating the online portion of new driver training. Much of this content was already being covered through ELDT, and it was time for an update.

“However, the annual three-hour refresher training is, in my view, very important,” he continued. “Making it optional could make it easier for a school district to provide significantly less training for its drivers. It is my hope that all districts will continue to recognize the value of this professional development and will continue to require their drivers to participate. IPTA will continue to support the training provided by the Department of Education and encourage districts to take part in it.”

The bill was introduced on Feb. 13, 2025, passed both chambers, and was signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds on June 6, 2025, taking effect at the new year.

Related: ‘One Type of Driver’ Training
Related: Iowa Rising Star Furthers Driver Safety and Proficiency
Related: (STN Podcast E258) Nuances & Challenges: NCST Recap, Trade Wars, Upcoming Safety Convos

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