Details released on Iowa school bus technician competition
The Third Annual “Best of the Best” competition will be held on April 16. Technicians will complete a written exam and a hands-on component; the winner will go on to participate in the National Association for Pupil Transportation’s “America’s Best” competition later this year.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Education, in association with the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association and the school bus dealers in the state, will be sponsoring the Third Annual “Best of the Best” competition on April 16.
The program recognizes school bus technicians for the important role they play in school transportation.
The competition will include a written exam and a hands-on component to determine the “best of the best” in Iowa. The winner of the competition will go on to compete in the National Association for Pupil Transportation’s (NAPT) “America’s Best” competition, to be held later in the year.
The national winner will receive an award at the NAPT Summit in the fall.
More Maintenance

Refinish Coatings Launches School Bus Seat Repair Kit
A new all-in-one vinyl seat repair kit comes with color-matched compounds, tools, and supplies to fix tears, holes, and punctures that kids won't be able to pick.
Read More →
Easy Ways to Reduce School Bus Emissions: Q&A with John Gonzales
Learn how preventive maintenance, driver training, reduced idling, smarter routing, and the right fuel choices can help districts reduce emissions — without investing in new buses.
Read More →
BendPak Launches Ranger DST30PX Wheel Balancer
BendPak's new wheel balancer handles tires up to 43 inches in diameter, with a reinforced design, precise weight placement, and faster service cycles.
Read More →
Tips for Ensuring School Bus Garages Are Safe and Warm Year-Round
Cold maintenance bays and rising heating costs? Learn how school bus garages can improve comfort with targeted heating, better airflow, and winter preparation.
Read More →
ASE Highlights School Bus Technician Certification Requirements
ASE is encouraging school bus maintenance professionals to maintain their certifications, highlighting seven specialized tests and five-year renewal requirements.
Read More →
International Adds E-Commerce Capabilities to Fleetrite.com
IC Bus customers can now browse, buy, and track shipments for more than 400,000 aftermarket parts online.
Read More →
The Most Expensive Thing You Do Before Selling a School Bus: Wait
When should you sell an aging school bus? Learn how maintenance, mileage, corrosion, specifications, and timing can affect resale value long before the auction.
Read More →
The Evolution of DEF Header Technology: What School Bus Operations Should Know at Replacement Time
See what school bus fleets should consider when replacing DEF headers to improve reliability, reduce repeat repairs, and control maintenance costs.
Read More →
The Essential Guide to School Bus Maintenance and Student Safety
Your district's buses carry students to school every day. This guide shows how predictive maintenance powered by fleet data helps keep buses reliable, drivers accountable and students safer from the first bell to the last stop.
Read More →
Kerry Brothers Grows Michigan School Bus Repair Network
The acquisition of Downriver Truck and Bus expands Kerry Brothers’ school bus maintenance footprint across southeast Michigan, adding repair capacity, diagnostic resources, and state inspection support.
Read More →
