Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) held a bus roadeo for its drivers to show off their skills in school transportation, reported 29 News.

According to the news report, the district’s bus drivers took on timed challenges March 28 and demonstrated their skills in backing up, parking and navigating tight spaces.

ACPS Bus Driver Jan Kendrick told local news reporters that the roadeo gives the drivers a chance to get together and show what they can do. More than just a roadeo, bus drivers view it as training and a chance for friendly competition.

Kendrick said competing in the roadeo also helps them every day when driving students to and from school. The district serves over 14,000 students from elementary to high school.

“A bus driver has more to do in that one seat than any other driver out there,” said Kendrick via the article.

The Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs Conference held in Frisco, Texas each November, also features a school bus roadeo, allowing a driver and monitor team to compete on a national level.

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A school bus driver in North Pole, Alaska, was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs and possessing firearms.

The Alaska Department of Public Safety released a statement regarding an incident that that occurred March 27, when a North Pole High School bus driver was pulled over for failing to maintain its lane and erratic driving.

According to the statement, the bus driver, identified as 24-year-old Lawrence Dunlap, was arrested on probable cause of being under the influence of drugs while operating a school bus. Officers recovered two firearms from the suspect’s belongings.

Police stated that there were no children present at the time of the stop or arrest.

According to local news reports, Dunlap could not tell the officers how he picked up the school bus and explained that he did not mean to turn onto Badger Road and that he was on his way to pick up students from North Pole High School.

Police said via the statement that any charges reported in the press release are merely allegations and Dunlap is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.

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The Chandler Unified School District in Arizona implemented a pilot program to boost school bus driver’s pay amid a nationwide shortage, reported Azcentral News.

The district’s governing board reportedly set aside roughly $610,000 for stipends and higher wages for school bus drivers for the remainder of this school year and next. The district has 162 bus drivers on staff and 14 on the queue.

According to the new report, with the increases, the annual salary for bus drivers will range from $34,000 to $38,000, depending on the types of routes.

“The pilot program makes Chandler Unified very competitive, if not the most competitive for bus driver pay,” said Chief Financial Officer Lana Berry.

The district serves roughly 44,000 students across 55 schools in the East Valley of Phoenix metro.

Every district school bus driver will reportedly receive a $500 stipend at the end of the current school year. They will also receive greater flexibility to use paid time off.

Additionally, approximately 60 drivers that have added new bus routes or combined previous ones five or more times throughout the quarter will be eligible for a stipend of $500 for the fourth quarter and back pay of $500 for doing so previously.

According to the article, it is expected that about five drivers out of the 60 will be eligible for an additional $500 stipend for taking on what the districts refers to as “hard to fill” routes, five or more times throughout the fourth quarter.

Paid time off flexibility will continue next year as well. In the past, the district’s school bus drivers that worked 32 hours a week were unable to take paid time off. Now, they will be able to use up to 14 hours of paid time off during weeks in which they’ve already worked 32 hours.

Beyond the pilot program, the district reportedly offers $1,000 stipends for new bus drivers and $1,000 stipends for existing bus drivers who refer another driver. Board president Patti Serrano said the district will be holding walk-in interviews.

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A crash involving a Mars Area School District school bus in Pennsylvania that sent eight children to the hospital later resulted in the death of their driver.

The crash occurred in Butler County around 8:30 a.m. on March 7, when the bus transporting 20 students crashed into a tree. Two students were transported from the scene and eight were treated at the hospital along with the driver, identified as William “Bob” Miller.

All of the students were released after being treated, but Miller remained hospitalized at Allegheny General Hospital.

The district released a statement confirming that Miller, who had been a bus driver for 10 years, had died. It is unclear what caused the crash and if Miller’s death was due to injuries suffered during the crash, another medical condition that contributed to the crash, or both.

According to local news reporters, one of the children who was supposed to be on the school bus that day was the son of Kelley Baumgartel. As they were waiting for the bus to get to the stop, Baumgartel said she saw it swerve off the road and hit the tree. After calling 911, she ran to the bus and found some of the children on board had begun to open the emergency door.

Baumgartel said she was unable to get to Miller but told reporters that something seemed to be wrong.

The investigation is ongoing.

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A crossing arm came down on a school bus in Freetown, Massachusetts, as a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) train passed by, reported ABC 6.

The incident reportedly occurred March 25, when a school bus transporting Freetown Lakeville Regional School District students stopped at the painted roadway railway crossing line to check for oncoming trains, as required by law. As the driver began to move forward, the crossing bells and lights came on.

The school bus driver reportedly reversed as the crossing arms hit the front of the bus. The train passed by about 45 seconds later. No one was injured at the time of the incident.

According to the news report, MBTA officials discussed the incident at a board meeting on March 27, claiming it resulted from human error.

The district said via the article that the bus company, which was not named in this writing, is in contact with the MBTA regarding the incident.

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A man in Kanawha County was arrested after driving around a school bus that had its stop sign out and nearly striking a student.

The incident took place on March 14 at approximately 3:41 p.m., when Kevin W. Webster illegally passed a stopped school bus and nearly hit a child.

Initially, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office released a statement asking the public’s help in identifying the driver of a white Lincoln sedan that drove past a stopped Kanawha County school bus.

Authorities released another statement thanking the community for their support in the investigation. Ultimately, Webster was identified as the driver of the white Lincoln sedan.

Webster was arrested on March 15, with additional reports from the Saint Albans Police Department further placing him behind the wheel of that vehicle in separate incidents.

According to the statement, police obtained video surveillance showing Webster pulling into a 7-Eleven just moments before the incident, which led to his identification.

Through an interview with Webster, law enforcement officers collected additional evidence that led to an additional charge of driving under the influence (DUI) as a habitual drug user.

In addition to the DUI, Webster was charged with reckless driving, overtaking and passing a school bus, and driving with a suspended license.

Authorities emphasized the importance of stopping for school buses and encouraged the public to contact the department if they had any additional evidence.

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A school bus driver inspired to give back to children in need, donated shoes to local organizations serving kids, reported Yahoo News.

Bryant School District bus driver Jo Cahill went the extra mile by donating 75 pairs of shoes to a local organization that serves children in need.

Cahill told local news reporters that she has seen students getting on her bus that don’t even have shoes or socks on in 12-degree weather.

Last month Cahill went into a store with the mindset of running in and out. However, after passing the shoe aisle, she saw the shoes were on sale for $1.

According to the article, Cahill, who has been a driver for 10 years, purchased every pair with no plan on what to do with them. She said she prayed and remembered her superintendent, Dr. Karen Walters, is a member of the local Rotary Club, which was accepting clothing donations for the Kids Closet.

The community service project provides free clothes to children since 2008. It is supported through donations from local people of Saline County and is specifically geared towards those living in the area.

Pat Baker, who runs the Kids Closet, told reporters that Cahill’s donation was a blessing. Workers were left putting up shoes for many weeks.

Both Kids Closet’s and Cahill’s mission is making sure each student knows they have value.

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Bullets struck a school bus while it was transporting students with special needs in the Bronx, New York, reported ABC 7.

The incident occurred on Friday just before 2:20 p.m. The minibus drove through gunfire and pulled up to an address located about half a mile away from where the shooting took place.

Jose Polanco, a coworker of the school bus driver, told local news reporters that the driver told him he kept driving because his first thought was to get the children somewhere safe.

The bus was reportedly struck at least three times. One bullet struck the back window and two struck the side of the bus. The bus was transporting half a dozen students with special needs. No one inside the bus was injured.

Police said four suspects, all wearing black, were shooting at each other and the school bus got caught in the crossfire.

The shooting took place near a playground, with a school just down the block. The name of the school was not reported, at this writing. Teachers said the shooting sent the school into lockdown, sheltering nervous students and staff in place for about 30 minutes past dismissal.

The suspects fled on foot. One was wearing white stripes and black plants. The investigation is ongoing.

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A Kentucky school bus driver saves the day after he gifts a pair of pajamas to a student on board, reported Goodnews Network.

According to the article, a child identified as Levi was crying when his bus driver, 35-year-old Larry Farrish Jr., arrived at his stop to pick him up.

Farrish told local news reporters that he quickly asked the child what was wrong. It turned out that it was Pajama Day at Engelhard Elementary School, but Levi didn’t have any, so he was going to miss out on the fun.

After dropping Levi at school, Farrish, who has been both a truck driver and a correctional officer but found his calling with driving children to school, rushed to a store and bought some pajamas then hurried back to Engelhard and surprised Levi in class.

According to the article, Levi hugged the pajamas closely and thanked his bus driver for the gift.

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A 5-year-old died after being hit by a Granbury Independent School District school bus.

Granbury ISD released a statement confirming the death Monday of an Emma Roberson Early Learning Academy student. The student’s name was initially not released but a second statement released by the district indicated the family of Exodus Crockett granted permission. A vigil will be held March 20 with the boy’s viewing and funeral scheduled for March 21.

The district said it directly communicated with all the families of students that were on the bus when the incident occurred and is closely working with local law enforcement.

Authorities said the school bus was traveling northeast on Pecos River Drive when the driver stopped to pick up students. As the driver started to pull away, a child ran up from the right front side of the bus and was struck. No other students were injured.

“I know you share in the devastation of this loss and may have many questions. We all have the expectation that students will be safe on our buses and in our district. We are already working to fully understand the situation and will share more information after we have had the time to investigate the incident,” said Granbury ISD Superintendent Courtney Morawski.

It is unclear if the school bus driver is expected to face charges. The incident remains under investigation.

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A middle school student is facing charges after allegedly bringing a weapon onto a school bus in Grady County, Georgia, reported WCTV News.

According to the article, the student, who was not identified in this writing but attends Washington Middle School, is charged with possession of a weapon on school property and making terroristic threats. The district confirmed via Facebook the March 11 incident.

Duke Donaldson, chief of the Grady County School Resource Officers , reportedly assured parents the isolated incident was handled accordingly.

“It’s a zero tolerance for weapons on school property. If you’re making a threat of any sort to any kid, you’re going to be charged according,” he said via the article.

No students or adults were injured in the incident. Along with being charged, the student is also suspended from school.

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Two Camden County School District school buses and one car were involved in a crash that left seven injured in North Carolina.

The incident occurred March 7, when a teen motorist was driving a 2013 Hyundai Sonata and traveling westbound on Scotland Road alongside one of the buses. The second bus was traveling eastbound on the same road, according to a statement released by the district.

The teen motorist, who was not identified at this writing, crossed the center line and collided with the eastbound bus, causing the bus to then crash into the westbound bus.

Both bus drivers, the motorist and four children were injured during the crash. They were all transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to local news reports, the teen was charged with failure to maintain lane control.

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More than a dozen people were injured after a school bus crashed on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey, reported CBS News.

The incident reportedly occurred March 10 at approximately 7:30 p.m., when the Rabbinical School bus from Lakewood was heading to New York to attend a post-wedding celebration.

According to the news report, the school bus was seen on its side facing the wrong way on the highway and skid marks were visible on a nearby embankment. There was no immediate information on what caused the school bus to overturn.

The New Jersey State Police said via the article that 15 people, including the 44-year-old bus driver, were treated for injuries. One of the passengers suffered serious injuries. Police said in a statement the 14-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was pinned under the overturned bus.

The Woodcliff Lake Fire Department was the first to arrive at the scene said Mayor Mike Ghassali in a statement on Facebook. The Montvale Volunteer Fire Department and other firefighters that assisted, lifted the bus and rescued the 14-year-old boy [that was pinned under the bus] and 28 other boys along with two adults.

The 14-year-old, who is fighting for his life, the bus driver and 13 other boys were transported to local hospitals. Their current condition is unclear at this moment.

The crash remains under investigation.

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A school bus driver is dead after a crash involving two school buses in New York.

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office released a statement March 7 confirming the fatal crash between two Holland Patent School District school buses.

According to the statement, one of the school buses operated by Michael J. Page, 57, was transporting three students when he crossed the center line into the path of an oncoming school bus for the same district.

The second bus, operated by Jean C. Marsden, 58, was transporting two students in the second Holland Patent School District school bus.

Marsden was pronounced dead at the scene. The two students on her bus were transported to Wynn Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Page was also transported to the hospital for a foot injury, and the three students on his bus were all evaluated at the scene before being signed over to their parents.

The crash is still under investigation. But authorities indicated the weather conditions of wind-blown snow appeared to be a factor.

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A Mason County school bus driver was indicted after allegedly driving a bus under the influence of drugs with students on board, reported WOWK News. 

The incident reportedly occurred last April, when a 911 call was placed about a school bus driver who was driving erratically and in the opposite lane with students on board. The caller also claimed that the driver made several wrong turns and was falling asleep at the wheel.  

A blood analysis the police reportedly took from the bus driver, 54-year-old Leslie Watterson, revealed she had taken three different drugs that affect the central nervous system. Watterson was arrested in May of on warrants filed by West Virginia State Police.  

According to the news report, Watterson was indicted March 5 on 54 counts of gross child neglect creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury and one count of DUI with minors. The three drugs in her system were identified to be Phentermine, Oxazepam and Temazepam.

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A 7-year-old student was left on his school bus earlier after falling asleep, reported Fox 8.

The incident reportedly occurred March 3, when Michael Windle received a call from Coventry Local School District, informing him that his son had been left on a school bus. The child had fallen asleep and did not exit the vehicle with the other students.

Windle claimed the bus driver left and was unaware that his son was still on the bus. No one found the child immediately and he was left on the bus for about an hour unattended in 25-degree weather. Once the boy was located, he was reportedly taken to school. Windle said he was mad and angry, as any father would be.

The district said via the news report that it was grateful the student was safe and upon learning of the situation, district officials launched an investigation to determine how this occurred. The school bus driver has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Additionally, the district reportedly confirmed they have “clear procedures” in place requiring drivers to conduct “post-route checks” to ensure all students have exited the bus. They are now reviewing those safety protocols with all transportation staff to prevent a future incident similar to this one.

Windle told local news reporters the district seemed sincerely upset over the incident. The district stated they are in direct communication with the family and will provide any necessary support.

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A school bus transporting 10 students in Sherbon, Massachusetts, veered off the road after the driver suffered a medical emergency.

The Sherborn Fire and Rescue Department released a statement Thursday confirming that the crash occurred when the school bus driver was dropping students off from school.

The driver, who was not identified at this writing, had reportedly come to a complete stop and was driving slowly when they experienced a medical emergency, causing the school bus to crash into trees.

There were no other injuries reported. All the students were checked by medical professionals at the scene and released to their parents shortly after. The school bus driver was transported to a local hospital, and their condition was unknown at this report.

A student told local news reporters that the school driver hit the curb before crashing into a pole and then a tree. Neighbors witnessed the incident and rushed to help evacuate the students.

The Sherborn Fire and Rescue Department posted photos of the scene on their social media. The incident remains under investigation.

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An Alabama school bus driver fell asleep behind the wheel while transporting 14 students last month, reported WCSC 5.

The incident reportedly occurred on Feb. 12, when 47-year-old Angela Lane Weaver fell asleep while driving. This caused the bus to run off the road, hit a ditch and tree before overturning on Mason Ferry Road.

According to the news report, seven of the 14 students being transported at the time of the crash were injured. The extent of their injuries and the current conditions of the students is unclear.

The district told local news reporters that the driver was placed on administrative leave immediately after the incident based on information they had at the time. Weaver then briefly returned to work. Now that the district received new information, the driver was placed back on administrative leave, where she remained as of this report. The investigation wass ongoing, and the district said it will determine further disciplinary action.

Weaver had allegedly been issued three speeding tickets in the last four years, all for going more than 19 miles per hour over the speed limit. Additionally, a previous crash report revealed that she admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel in 2021.

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A 14-year-old boy with special needs is safe after a school bus driver found him wandering the streets during cold temperatures, reported ABC 7.

The incident reportedly took place on Feb. 18, when Trey Briggs woke up and found all the doors of her family’s apartment open and her son, Urijah Heard, missing.

According to the news report, Heard is non-verbal. Temperatures that day were below zero and he was only wearing a t-shirt and underwear.

Briggs reportedly contacted the Wheeling Police Department and was told that officers had already been contacted by a passing school bus driver who saw Heard wandering and returned to pick him up.

“The fact that he [the school bus driver] stopped and put him on the bus is amazing to me. A miracle to me,” Briggs told local news reporters.

Police were able to identify Heard almost immediately because the teen had just been registered in a program started in 2022 by Wheeling Police Sgt. Richard Giltner called “Return Home Safe.” The database includes children with special needs, identified with photos and information submitted by their parents, for situations similar to this one.

According to local news reporters, the bus driver, Freddy Leon, did not want to comment on the matter. However, Heard’s mother is grateful for his act of kindness. The police department is planning to honor Leon for his actions later this month.

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An 8-year-old girl was fatally struck by a car after she was dropped off by her school bus. Family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil, reported Fox 26.

The incident reportedly occurred on Feb.24, when Emmanuela Aifuwa was dropped off by her Alief Independent School District bus at her apartment complex.

According to the news report, Aifuwa was speaking to a friend across the street when she ran into the roadway. It is unknown why she ran into the roadway. Surveillance footage shows the motorist, who was not identified in this writing, did not have time to stop the vehicle before hitting the child. The girl was reportedly transported to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

On Wednesday night, family, friends and community members gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor Aifuwa. The vigil reportedly took place at the scene of the incident.

The child’s mother, identified as Susie, told local news reporters that Aifuwa was her only child, and she wishes her daughter would just walk up to her and say, “Mama, it’s just a prank.” Aifuwa was described as bright and happy by loved ones.

According to local news reports the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. They reportedly did not show signs of impairment or intoxication and were not traveling at an excessive speed. The investigation is ongoing.

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A crash involving a school bus and a pickup truck left one dead following a medical emergency, reported Fox 8.

The incident occurred Feb. 24. According to the article, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered a pickup truck with a sole occupant and a school bus with a driver and 32 students on board. Only one student reported an ankle injury, but they were checked out and released on scene.

Investigation into the crash reportedly revealed that the bus had stopped to let students off, with a 2023 Chevy Silverado stopping behind. Witnesses on scene say the bus turned off the flashing red lights and started driving. However, the truck accelerated and ran into the rear of the bus.

The article states the truck was driven by 62-year-old Eric Brandewie. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers stated via the article that the family of Brandewie shared he had called his wife just minutes before the incident, reporting chest pains and profuse sweating. He was on his way to his daughter’s house so they could go to the hospital together.

Authorities said they believe the cause of the crash is the result of a medical emergency, but the investigation is ongoing until an autopsy is completed.

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The quick actions of an Ohio school bus driver kept all students safe after a school bus was engulfed in flames.

The Cleveland Heights Fire Department released a statement reporting that a fire broke out on a Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District bus early Thursday, as it was on its way to drop students off at Monticello Middle School.

The school bus driver is being hailed as a hero after acting quickly and evacuating all the students to safely. Students were picked up by another school district vehicle and transported to school. The fire was contained by firefighters.

The district’s superintendent, Liz Kirby, released a statement confirming that bus 21 involved in the incident was transporting 15 students at the time of the fire. However, there were no injuries reported. The school bus driver asked not to be identified, and the district is respecting that request.

Although the bus passed its annual mandate state inspection on Feb. 14, the district’s mechanic teams are re-inspecting all school buses in their fleet out of an abundance of caution.

The exact cause of the fire remains unclear. However, the incident is being investigated by the Cleveland Heights Fire Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol in partnership with the district.

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A mother and her 10-year-old child were struck by a school bus in Greece, New York, reported WROC News.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday evening around 4 p.m.

Police stated via the article that the child was riding the school bus home prior to being hit. Shortly after being dropped off and released to his parent at the bus stop, the driver reportedly did not see the mother and the child in the roadway and hit them with the bus.

According to the news report, both the mother and the child were hospitalized and treated for their injuries, which are believed to be minor.

None of the parties involved in the incident were identified in this writing and it is unclear which district the school bus belongs to. No charges are anticipated, though the investigation reportedly remains open.

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An Onamia School District bus driver is being hailed as a hero for dodging a head-on crash with a semitrailer truck and saving many lives, reported Star Tribune.

The incident reportedly occurred on Feb. 5 around 7:15 a.m. in central Minnesota, when a semitrailer truck crossed into the oncoming lane, where the school bus was. The bus driver, identified as 52-year-old Brian Lathrop, was seen via video making a quick maneuver to avoid a complete head-on crash.

Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton said the quick maneuver undoubtedly saved many lives. The semi made a “glancing sideswipe” near the bus’s rear passenger side instead of a full head-on crash thanks to the bus driver’s quick actions.

The trucker, 54-year-old David Garrett, told local news reporters that he was under the impression that he hit black ice before losing control of his vehicle. He confirmed this was the first time anything like this incident had happened to him in his 10 years of truck driving.

Onamia Superintendent Jason Vold said via the article that along with the driver, there were three paraprofessionals and four students on board the bus at the time of the incident. Two students among the eight people on board were evaluated for minor injuries.

Vold said the district will be recognizing Lathrop for his heroic actions at the next school board meeting.

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A Madison City Schools bus driver in Alabama was arrested after allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a student under 19 years old, reported AL News.

Police stated that 24-year-old Azaria Ashford of nearby Huntsville was arrested last Friday and charged with one count of school employee engaging in a sex act with a student under the age of 19.

According to the news report, the district received information regarding the incident on Feb. 11 that Ashford allegedly exchanged inappropriate messages with several students. The school district quickly placed her on administrative leave and reported the allegations to the Madison Police Department.

The police department conducted a subsequent investigation, which resulted in the arrest of Ashford. She is no longer employed by the Madison City Schools.

Ashford was reportedly booked into the Madison County jail pending bond. The investigation is ongoing.

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School bus drivers are trained to not only keep calm with student riders but also when a piece of metal pierces their windshield during a route.

That is exactly what happened to Stewart O’Leary, a school bus driver for Northshore School District in Washington, on Feb. 7. As he drove a sports team down the freeway, a metal pole shattered his windshield and struck him in the chest. The school district released a statement on the incident.

O’Leary is being recognized as a hero for prioritizing the safety of the students on board his bus and remaining calm and collect after being hit and despite the resulting pain. Thanks to his quick thinking and the swift actions of North Creek coaches Calvin McHenry and Chris Pinder, who were also on board, the bus was safely brought to a stop and all passengers remained injured.

O’Leary was taken to the hospital on the day of the incident and released that same night. The following Monday he was back at work, continuing to serve students. The district thanked O’Leary for his heroic actions and bravery.

According to local news, Washington State Patrol troopers have not been able to determine where the metal bar came from.

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The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting involving a teen after he was dropped off by his school bus, reported Coast News.

According to the news report, police responded to reports of gunfire on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 2:35 p.m. Investigators determined that a Capital School District bus had just dropped off a group of students from Dover High School, when the accused shooter began chasing a 16-year-old boy before opening fire.

Both individuals, who were not identified at this writing, were reportedly running as shots were fired, but no one was hurt.

The article states that the school bus driver followed safety protocols and quickly left the area to protect the remaining students on board. Police later confirmed that the school bus was not struck. However, there were active threats to the school.

It was unclear why the teen was targeted. Police stated that the victim was not cooperating with detectives and had not even provided a description of the shooter.

Dover police reportedly increased its presence at Dover High School for the remainder of the week.

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The family of a 6-year-old student who was left inside a Reynoldsburg City Schools bus for hours filed a lawsuit claiming the school district failed to investigate the incident appropriately, reported The Columbus Dispatch.

The incident took place last year, when the nonverbal boy was left unattended and secured in a child safety restraint system on a school bus seat for hours.

According to the news report, the lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, and it alleges that the district violated the child’s right to an education by putting him in danger, as well as treating his family differently because they are non-native English speakers from Nepal.

The parents of the child reportedly filed the lawsuit as John and Jane Doe to protect their child’s identity.

The lawsuit reportedly claims the boy’s mother put the then 6-year-old boy on his regular school bus on Feb. 16, 2023, to attend afternoon preschool classes. The boy was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and received special education services through Reynoldsburg City Schools.

Because of his specific needs, the boy would reportedly be secured in a harness on the school bus.

The lawsuit claims the boy did not return home from preschool that day at the regular time. The father tried calling both the school district and the bus garage but no one answered. He proceeded to the preschool but was told there were no children left in the building. That’s when the parents called the police and reported their son missing.

Court records reportedly indicate police found the child on a school bus at the district’s bus garage. The bus had reportedly brought the boy to his street but dropped him at a neighbor’s home. The preschool had marked the boy as absent from school on that day. However, the boy’s parents do not know where the boy was for the approximately five hours he was unaccounted for and believe he may have been left on the school bus harnessed inside his seat. The exact events of that day remain unclear.

According to the lawsuit, the boy’s parents met with district officials and requested through an interpreter to view the video from the school bus. The lawsuit alleges that the request was passed around the school district for about three weeks, at which time the video had been recorded over and was no longer available.

Administrators reportedly told the boy’s parents via an interpreter that the district had conducted and completed a full investigation, yet no documentation was provided to the parents. The district also allegedly told the interpreter, to stop communicating with the parents. The district told local news reporters through a spokesperson that it is unable to comment on pending litigation.

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A Northeast School Corporation bus driver in Farmersburgh, Indiana, was arrested after he allegedly operated a school bus while intoxicated with students, reported WBIW News.

According to the news report, Ryan Campbell was arrested after a staff member detected what she believed to be alcohol while grabbing an item from Bus #2 around 7:49 a.m. on Feb. 5. The staff member reportedly alerted school officials and authorities were contacted.

Chief Matthew Price of the Northeast School Corporation Police Department said he boarded the bus and immediately noticed Campbell exhibited general indicators of intoxication.

Campbell reportedly failed a field sobriety test. A subsequent chemical testing revealed his blood alcohol content was above the legal limit of .04 percent for commercial drivers.

The Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office is reportedly reviewing two Level 6 felony charges of neglect of a dependent and operating a vehicle while intoxicated with passengers under the age of 18. The judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.

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A driver has been arrested after he struck a New Diana Independent School District student who was crossing the road to board their school bus, reported KLTV News.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday around 6:30 a.m., when the driver of the vehicle, identified as 56-year-old Jerry Martin, did not stop for the school bus, which was stopped with its red lights flashing.

According to the news report, Martin swerved to avoid hitting the student head-on and ultimately clipped the student with the side mirror. The student’s mother was reportedly present and witnessed the incident. The student, whose identity was not disclosed at this writing, was taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

The Texas Department of Private Safety said Martin was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was being held in the Upshur County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

The incident remains under investigation.

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A Joliet-area school district in Illinois was forced to move classes online after its school buses were vandalized, reported ABC 7.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, when vandals targeted a school bus parking lot and stole catalytic converters from multiple school buses.

According to the news report, Joliet police said officers responded to the Troy Communitiy Consolidate School District 30-C transportation lot after reports of catalytic converter thefts. An investigation found the emissions reduction equipment was cut from 30 district buses between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. that day.

Police added that the suspected vehicle involved is a dark–colored SUV that was seen in the area.

Officials from Troy 30-C said the theft affected more than 80 percent of the bus fleet, rendering the vehicles inoperable. As a result, the district had to switch to e-learning and was working to get the buses fixed as quickly as possible. Attempts to get enough donated school buses from nearby school districts proved unsuccessful at this report.

It was unclear how long e-learning classes would need to replace in-person learning.

Joliet police and the Tri County Auto Theft Task Force are reportedly leading the investigation into the thefts and working closely with the district.

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Texas school officials have reassured parents that school buses have not and should not be targeted by immigration enforcement actions after a district’s letter to families raised concerns.

On Feb. 5, Alice Independent School District in Texas posted a letter on its Facebook page warning parents that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers may stop school buses to conduct immigration checks on students traveling for extracurricular activities. This caused significant concerns among parents. According to local news reports, the letter has since been deleted from the district’s Facebook page.

However, the district’s Superintendent Anysia Trevino released a second statement on Feb. 6, specifying that their previous letter was a proactive move made for student safety and not reactive to any Border Patrol incidents, as there had been none at this report.

“It is our understanding that key members of the U.S. Border Patrol have indicated that school buses and children will not be targeted,” said Trevino.

Meanwhile, Denver Public Schools in Colorado filed the nation’s first lawsuit on Wednesday against the Trump administration, specifically the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem, for the new policy of allowing immigration raids at schools, churches and other “sensitive” locations.

According to an Education Week report on Thursday, DPS officials said they have had to devote a lot of time and resources to adding policies that keep students safe and training faculty and staff on how to respond to claims of immigration enforcement occurring at schools.

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A school bus in Enosburgh, Vermont, that was transporting ten students flipped on its side during a crash with tow truck after intense snowsquall, reported NBC News.

The crash occurred during the morning commute to school around 7 a.m. The bus driver was transporting students when heavy snowfall and gusty winds created whiteout conditions. The driver reportedly had difficulty discerning the roadway from a nearby field, leading to the crash.

The Enosburgh Fire Department said none of the students or the school bus driver required hospitalization, and all the victims were evaluated at the scene.

According to the article, a second school bus was able to pick up the students and transport them to school safely. Additional details were not immediately available.

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A Tuscaloosa City School bus driver has been arrested after a school bus video footage shows him allegedly assaulting a student with special needs, reported WVTM News.

According to the news report, 74-year-old Samual Jones was taken into custody on Jan. 31 and charged with assault/willful abuse of a child, after a review of school bus footage revealed an incident in which Jones is seen assaulting a student.

The incident reportedly occurred on Jan. 29, when Jones stopped the bus and hit a 17-year-old student. Police stated via the article that Jones is seen in the footage striking the student multiple times with his belt while she remained in her seat.

The transportation staff immediately notified a school resource officer after watching the footage. The officer reportedly contacted the student’s mother and forwarded the evidence to the police department’s Criminal Investigation Division. A warrant was obtained that day. Jones is no longer employed by the school system.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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A school bus driver in Jackson Township in Ohio is being hailed as a hero after risking his own life to save others including a dog during a house fire, reported The Washington Post.

According to the news report, 54-year-old Todd Morris, a retired police officer and current school bus driver, was heading home from a doctor’s appointment on Jan. 22, when he saw smoke rising into the sky from a house.

Temperatures that day were subzero, which closed school. Morris was in his personal vehicle when he came upon the fire.

Morris told local news reporters that as soon as he turned a corner, he saw the house of two of the children on his normal elementary school bus route on fire. He stated he knew that the students were off that day as well and probably home.

Morris stopped his car, got out and sprinted toward the house as he dialed 911. He told local news reporters that he started knocking on the door and yelling out the kids’ names.

Because there was no response, Morris said he relied on his police training and kicked in the locked door, forcing an entry into the residence. The smoke was getting heavy, but after a few minutes into his search, he found two terrified dogs.

The dogs taken outside of the home safely and Morris went back in to clear the residence. By the time the kitchen ceiling began to collapse, and the second floor was fully engulfed, Morris evacuated and the fire department showed up to put out the flames.

According to the article, residents Matt Fisher and his wife were at work when the fire broke out. Their four children were with their grandmother, who was taking care of them while school wasn’t in session.

Fisher told local news reporters that once he learned about the fire, he panicked because he knew the dogs were there. The family also had a cat, which did not survive the fire. Still, Fisher said he is grateful to Morris for saving his dogs and alerting authorities of the fire, which remained under investigation at this report.

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A 16-year-old student was arrested for reportedly bringing a gun on a school bus, though the teen denies it, reported WTAE News.

The incident occurred Jan. 30, when a Shaler Area School District teen allegedly brough a gun into a school bus.

The Millvale police said officers executed a search warrant at the teen’s home the following day, recovering what were described as items used with a gun.

The boy’s father, whose name was not released, told local news reporters that police searched his son’s room and recovered bullets from a separate incident. He said his son denied that he had a weapon on the bus.

The teen was reportedly expelled from school while police investigate the incident. On Feb. 1, police arrested the teen. According to the Shaler Township Police, the teen has a prior record.

It is unclear if the teen has since been charged with any crime.

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A school bus driver was killed after he was struck by a school bus in his district’s bus garage.

On Tuesday afternoon, New Jersey’s Maple Shade School District’s Superintendent Beth Norcia, released a statement confirming the death of a staff member, identified by police as 85-year-old Jack Hohwald.

The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m., when Hohwald was standing outside of his bus at the district’s bus garage, when he was hit by another district driver. The Maple Shade Police responded to the scene. According to local news, the driver of the striking bus remained at the scene, no chargers have been filed so far. The incident remains under investigation.

Norcia said via the statement that classes were cancelled on Wednesday. The Burlington County Crisis Response Team and counselors will be available for the staff and students the rest of the week.

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A school district in Pennsylvania launched an investigation after one of the school buses had a sign prohibiting bus riders from speaking Spanish.

According to local news reports, there were photos circulating around social media on Friday about a Juniata County School District (JCSD) bus prohibiting students from speaking Spanish on board, “out of respect to English only students” per “owner/management.”

The district’s superintendent, Christie L. Holderman, released a statement Saturday stating that the district became aware of the inappropriate sign being displayed and confirmed officials had taken immediate and appropriate action to address the situation.

Holderman added that the district is currently investigating the incident thoroughly and they are ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to prevent something like this happening again.

In the same statement, Rohrer Bus, the district’s transportation management partner, made clear that the bus involved in the incident is owned and operated by a separate entity, whose name was not disclosed in the statement. Initial reports referencing the source of the sign as “owner/management” gave the impression that the sign was authorized by representatives of Rohrer Bus. However, company officials confirmed that the company did not “author or endorsed this statement in any way.”

“As Juniata County School District’s transportation management partner, we have been working closely with District officials to swiftly investigate,” Rohrer added.

“Such language and sentiments are entirely contrary to the company’s values and commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all students,” Rohrer continued. “As a precautionary measure, we have suspended the transportation provider involved pending the outcome of an investigation. We recognize the seriousness of this situation and the impact it may have on our community. Rohrer Bus is committed to taking proactive steps to prevent such incidents in the future.”

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The owner of a school bus company in New Jersey was sentenced to five years in state prison for endangering students by hiring unqualified drivers, reported Shore News.

The owner of the company, Ahmed Mahgoub, was sentenced on Jan. 23, after it came to light that the company was failing to perform drug tests and conduct background checks on drivers. It was also reported that the drivers were operating unsafe vehicles.

Mahgoub, 65, owned F&A Transportation, Inc., and pleaded guilty last year to false representation for government contract. His company, which operated in multiple counties, including Essex, Passaic, Morris and Union, secured public school transportation contracts worth $3.5 million from 2016 to 2020.

According to the article, an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and the New Jersey State Police found that Mahgoub hired drivers without valid commercial licenses or criminal background checks.

Some drivers reportedly had criminal records, suspended licenses, or even substance abuse problems. In addition, Mahgoub and his company falsified vehicle inspections forms to cover up safety violations. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission inspections in 2019 found that nearly all of the company’s buses failed.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said via the article that Mahgoub not only flouted government regulations and standards but also risked the lives of children. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Mahgoub and F&A Transportation must pay $500,000 in corruption profiteering penalties and are banned from doing business with the state for 10 years.

F&A co-owner Faiza Ibrahim, 50, also reportedly entered a pretrial intervention and faces her own penalties.

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The family of a girl who was saved by her school bus driver on Jan. 10 spoke out about the experience, reported WKOW News.

The incident reportedly occurred hen 9-year-old Cathryn Dornacker was on board an Adams-Friendship School District bus and accidentally began choking on part of her bracelet while on her way home from school.

According to the news report, the driver, Jamie Smoczyk, stopped the bus and jumped into action by performing the Heimlich Maneuver on Dornacker.

Dornacker told local news reporters that she was making a bracelet with the “C” clip when the bus stopped, and she accidentally swallowed it.

In a surveillance video recovered from the bus, Dornacker’s brother Jonathan, is seen yelling at Smoczyk that his sister needs held. He told local news reporters that his sister’s face was turning red, and she fell on the ground right before Smoczyk heard his screams and quickly came to aid the child.

Despite the traumatic experience, Dornacker’s parents were grateful for the school bus driver’s heroic actions.

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