Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After state rule changes, Palm Beach schools to expand 14-passenger buses and train Class E drivers
Summary
District officials told the board that December DOE rule modifications allow Class E license holders to operate 14-passenger multifunctional buses after 40 hours of training; the district purchased 15 such vehicles and plans phased reassignments to reduce private vendor costs and address CDL driver shortages.
Palm Beach County School District officials briefed the School Board on modified Florida Department of Education transportation rules and the districtplan to expand use of small, multifunctional school-activity buses.
Joe Sanchez, the districtchief operating officer, and Shane Searchwell, director of student transportation, said the recent rule changes (effective Dec. 21, 2025) create a new option to operate smaller buses with Class E licenses provided operators complete expanded training and certification.
"This rule allows for individuals with a class e license ... to drive a, a this smaller bus," Searchwell said, noting the vehicles must be under 26,000 pounds and can carry up to 15 passengers (14 students). He described the training requirement as 40 hours of pre-service training, including classroom and behind-the-wheel hours, plus CPR and first-aid certification and weekly record monitoring.
Sanchez said the district approved a new "student transport driver" job description with pay positioned between a bus attendant and a CDL driver, and that the board approved purchase of 15 14-passenger vehicles (five wheelchair-capable) earlier this year. There are about 535 routes in the district, and roughly 75 of those have 14 or fewer students, which the district said makes them candidates for the small buses.
Board members praised the plan as a way to expand the driver pool and reduce reliance on private vendors. "This is something that we've been wanting for a long time," board member Edwin Ferguson said, adding the change could yield cost savings and better match vehicle size to ridership.
Members asked operational questions about hub stops, state distance rules for regular routes, and electric vehicles. Sanchez said hub stops are being considered for choice transportation but statutory distance limits (stops within 1.5 miles for regular routes) restrict broader use. He also confirmed the district purchased 20 electric vehicles through a grant but noted upfront EV costs are higher despite comparable operating costs so far.
District staff said they plan a phased reassignment of eligible students to the smaller buses in the coming fall and will provide training and monitoring to meet state requirements.
