For the first time, the School District of Lee County offered bus driver training that included various scenarios.

Safety, Security and Fleet Operations Chief David Newlan said with knowing one of the district’s vulnerabilities being the buses, drivers went through an active shooting training and de-escalation techniques before the start of the new school year.

“Our drivers absolutely loved the training. They were excited to try something new – knowing and having an idea of how to respond to the event,” Transportation Executive Jarriad McKinney said. “They were very excited and thankful for it.”

Training can be repetitive, leaving participants without anything new to take away, McKinney said.

Transportation partnered with various departments, including academics, human resources, ESE, and health services, to offer more areas of training,

“There are ways to create an environment to be safe and happy,” McKinney said, adding that collaborating within the district lets bus drivers know there are resources available to them.

He said a happy bus is a culture and environment where kids feel safe and respected.

“We are teaching the drivers how to maintain their attitude and their tone and make sure they feel safe on their ride,” McKinney said.

Board member Melisa Giovannelli said bus drivers are key to getting students to school to learn.

“They are the key role to everything for us,” she said.

Newlan said they are working with the State Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners on statutes to protect bus drivers and students from people cutting off a bus and/or forcing their way on the bus.