A school bus driver in Cape Cod town suffered a “life-threatening” medical emergency, causing a crash that sent the school bus carrying 26 students into a tree, reported CBS News.
The crash reportedly occurred April 13 at around 8:40 a.m. near an intersection n Mashpee, a town of about 15,000 people in Barnstable County.
Mashpee police said the school bus driver experienced an apparent medical episode while transporting students, ages 6 to 12, to school. The bus came to a stop after striking a tree on the side of the road. Photos from the scene showed a cracked windshield and front-end damage.
The bus driver was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with what was described as a life-threatening condition. Authorities did not release the bus driver’s name or provide further details about the medical emergency.
One student was transported to Falmouth Hospital as a precaution. No serious injuries among the children were reported. Mashpee Superintendent Michele Conners said via the article that the bus, identified as M11, was on route to Quashnet Intermediate School and Kenneth C. Coombs School at the time of the crash.
“We are very thankful that no students were seriously injured,” Conners said via the news report. “Our thoughts are with the driver, who has been a valued member of our transportation team, as she receives medical care. “Conners also thanked first responders for their swift actions.
School district representatives did not respond to a School Transportation News email asking for an update on the school bus driver’s condition.
School officials reportedly said counselors and support staff are being made available to assist students who may have been shaken by the incident. The Mashpee Police Department is investigating the crash. Authorities have not indicated whether any additional factors contributed to the incident beyond the reported medical emergency.
CONCORD, N.C. — School bus aides are often under-recognized for the roles they serve in student transportation, particularly for children with disabilities, but they provide much-needed assistance to school bus drivers regardless of the route being driven, industry leaders said during a session at STN EXPO East.
Panelists at the conference last month emphasized that school bus aides — often referred to as attendants, monitors or, in New York City, matrons — are responsible for far more than child supervision. Their duties include supporting students’ social and emotional needs, managing behavior, assisting with medical situations, and ensuring safe transportation from stop to stop. School bus routes operated for children from birth to kindergarten are required by federal Head Start regulations.
“We aid and support those students … regardless [of] what disability,” said Stephanie Walker, a transportation leader and certified instructor from Habersham County Schools in Georgia. “Our goal is to have a safe and positive ride.”
Stephanie Walker makes a point during the school bus aides panel at the 2026 STN EXPO East.
The panelists highlighted a shift in terminology, reflecting the evolving role. Many districts have moved away from bus monitor or attendant, which suggests passive observation, toward bus aide, a title that better captures the hands-on responsibilities required.
Training and clear expectations are critical, said Teena Mitchell, special needs transportation coordinator for Greenville County Schools in South Carolina and past-president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation. She stressed that detailed job descriptions help prevent confusion and improve safety outcomes.
“The safety of these kids depends on what they know they have to do and what the expectations of them are,” Mitchell said.
Teena Mitchell advocates for improved training of school bus aides during the March 20, 2026 panel session.
School bus aides are expected to perform tasks such as securing wheelchairs, assisting with emergency medications, monitoring student behavior and helping students safely board and exit the bus. Panelists said aides should be actively engaged, including greeting students and ensuring proper seating at every stop.
Staffing Aides Based on Student Needs
The discussion also underscored the importance of proactively staffing buses based on student needs, not just legal requirements. Mitchell referenced a South Carolina case in which a district faced a multimillion-dollar settlement after a student was harmed on a bus without an aide.
“You need to know who’s on your bus,” she said, urging transportation departments to collaborate more closely with special education teams.
Comprehensive training programs are essential, the panelists agreed. Some districts require several days of instruction covering disability awareness, equipment securement, emergency response and de-escalation strategies. Ongoing evaluations, including written and physical tests, help ensure aides can perform under pressure.
Emergency preparedness was a major focus. Panelists cited demonstrations showing how quickly a bus fire can escalate, emphasizing the need for regular evacuation drills.
“If you can’t evacuate them in one minute and 16 seconds, they’re going to die,” Mitchell said.
Beyond safety, school bus aides also contribute to students’ emotional well-being. Building trust through consistent, respectful interaction can improve behavior and communication, particularly for students with special needs.
“If you’re not pouring into that child, that child’s not going to build that bridge with you,” Walker said.
Cross-Department Collaboration
Panelists encouraged districts to leverage resources such as school nurses, behavioral specialists, and classroom aides to provide consistent support across all settings. They also highlighted the importance of ongoing oversight, including reviewing bus video footage and conducting spot checks to ensure aides are following procedures.
Despite the critical nature of the role, staffing and compensation remain ongoing challenges. Many districts struggle to recruit and retain qualified aides, in part due to lower pay compared to other positions.
Mitchell said some districts have improved wages by classifying aides as “safety-sensitive” employees, helping to elevate the role’s importance.
Speakers also urged transportation leaders to collect and share data demonstrating the value of aides, including reductions in behavioral incidents, improved student attendance and increased rider confidence.
“We do a lot that we do not sell,” said session moderator Launi Schmutz Harden. “You guys are the ones that can speak the story.”
As schools face increasing mental health needs and tighter budgets, panelists agreed that investing in trained school bus aides is essential to maintaining safe, supportive transportation systems.
An Ohio veteran known for a simple daily gesture has brightened the lives of generations of schoolchildren. He received an unforgettable tribute for his 95th birthday, reported WLWT 5.
According to the news report, residents organized a school bus parade to pass by the home of Bob Jones, who for nearly two decades has made a habit of standing outside and waving as buses drive past. The surprise celebration turned the tables on Jones, whose friendly routine has long brought smiles to students and drivers alike.
As the line of buses rolled by last week, many children waved back enthusiastically, some opening windows to call out greetings to the man they know as “Mr. Bob.”
“I wave at the kids and bus drivers, and they wave back,” Jones told local news reporters. “A lot of people in the cars wave, and the kids roll the windows down and then holler, ‘Mr. Bob.’ Some of them say, ‘I love you.’”
Community Shares in Appreciation
Neighbors said the outpouring of affection reflects the impact Jones has had on the community. What began as a simple act of kindness has grown into a daily tradition that connects him with multiple generations of local families.
Shelly Tipton, a nearby resident, reportedly said her sister drives a school bus along the route and has witnessed firsthand how students respond to Jones. “This is the second or third generation of students that are coming by, and that we’ll say hi to him as they go past,” Tipton said.
She described Jones as a role model whose consistency and warmth have made a lasting impression on young people.
The birthday school bus parade was organized by community members who wanted to show appreciation for Jones’ years of positivity and service, both as a veteran and as a neighbor. For many, the event was a chance to give back to someone who has quietly given so much.
As the buses passed and horns sounded, Jones stood smiling and waving, just as he had for years. Only this time, the celebration was all for him.
Police in central Oregon arrested a school bus driver on suspicion of driving under the influence for a blood-alcohol concentration four times the legal limit for a commercial driver.
The school driver, identified as 67-year-old Martha Ann Gerlicher, reportedly completed one route for Bend La-Pine Schools April 3 and was preparing to begin another when a school district employee observed the alleged impairment.
According to a statement released by the City of Bend Police Department, the Bend-La Pine Schools transportation employee called authorities after suspecting Gerlicher was intoxicated. Earlier, Gerlicher had contacted the transportation office to report brake problems on her bus after finishing a route for Pine Ridge Elementary School. She was at High Desert Middle School to begin another route when the other transportation employee arrived around 3:15 p.m.
The employee reportedly found no mechanical issues with the bus but detected signs Gerlicher might be under the influence. Gerlicher was removed from the vehicle and taken to a private testing facility, where she reportedly showed high levels of alcohol.
Blood-Alcohol Testing Indicate Impairment
Police were then contacted and took Gerlicher into custody. Later testing administered at the Bend Police Department around 11 p.m., roughly seven hours after the alleged drunk driving and initial screening, indicated a bloodalcohol concentration of 0.16 percent. The legal limit for all commercial driver’s license holders nationwide is 0.04 percent, half of the 0.08 legal limit for other motorists in Oregon.
Gerlicher was booked into the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless endangerment. As of April 7, court records indicated no formal charges had been filed. No students were reportedly harmed during the alleged drunk driving incident.
In a statement to local news reporters, Bend-La Pine School District said that student safety remains its top priority and confirmed that Gerlicher was placed on leave pending further action.
A semi-truck driver says his brakes failed moments before he rear-ended a school bus carrying about 30 kindergarteners on a field trip April 9, reported News 4 Jax.
According to the news report, the Duval County school bus was transporting students from San Pablo Elementary School to the Jacksonville Zoo. It stopped at railroad tracks when it was struck from behind by the semi.
Four children were reportedly taken to the hospital with injuries. Injuries included two broken legs, cuts to the head and chest pain. Authorities have not released updates on the conditions of those injured.
According to the report, the semi-truck driver told police he saw the bus stopped at the tracks and attempted to brake but said his, “brakes were not working.” The driver swerved in an effort to avoid the collision but was unable to stop in time. He was cited for careless driving. Investigators noted he was not distracted at the time of the crash.
Investigation Into Vehicle Records
Dalya Farah, an attorney representing the families of three injured students, said the focus now shifts to the truck’s condition and maintenance history.
“We will most likely inspect the truck. There’s a lot of information on semi-trucks that we can’t obtain otherwise,” Farah said via the article.
She added that inspection records and maintenance logs will be critical in determining whether mechanical failure played a role or if other factors contributed. “When it comes to a semi case, there could be a lot of factors that go into fault,” she said.
Records reviewed by local news reporters show five other crashes linked to the trucking company, Universal Logistics Holdings, over the past two years. It is unclear whether the same semi-truck driver was involved or who was at fault in those incidents. The company has also undergone 74 inspections during that period, though that figure may include its entire fleet.
A company manager declined to comment when contacted by local news reporters, the article states.
Investigators continue to examine whether mechanical issues, including possible brake failure, contributed to the crash.
CONCORD, N.C. — Federal safety officials are urging stronger seatbelt usage by students and increased awareness of dangers around school buses following a series of high-profile crashes, including a recent fatal incident under investigation in Tennessee.
In providing the parting takeways at STN EXPO East conference last month, Meg Sweeney, lead investigator and project manager for the National Transportation Safety Board, outlined how ongoing investigations and previous crash reconstructions are shaping new safety recommendations aimed at protecting student passengers and pedestrians.
“Our mission is to investigate crashes, determine a probable cause and then write recommendations to prevent future similar crashes,” Sweeney told attendees during the final conference session March 31.
The NTSB recently launched a “go team” to Tennessee after a fatal school bus crash killed two middle school students, though Sweeney said details remained limited in the early stages of the investigation. The crash took the lives of two middle school girls and parents of the deceased have since filed a lawsuit against the district and the driver.
The agency is also examining a separate student dragging fatality, underscoring the risks students face not only inside the bus but also in Danger Zone, the area immediately surrounding the vehicle during loading and unloading.
Sweeney said the agency focuses on crashes with the greatest potential to improve safety outcomes. With only about 35 staff members in its highway division, the NTSB investigates roughly 15 to 20 crashes annually out of tens of thousands reported nationwide.
“With a staff of 35 people… we have to be really selective in the crashes that we investigate,” she said, noting that cases often involve recurring safety issues or high public interest.
A key focus of recent investigations has been occupant protection, particularly the effectiveness of lap/shoulder seatbelts compared to traditional lap-only restraints or compartmentalization.
“We know and recognize that there are several other types of crashes,” Sweeney said, explaining that while compartmentalization works well in frontal impacts, it is less effective in rollovers, side impacts and other complex crash scenarios.
In multiple investigations, including crashes in Texas and New Jersey, the agency found lap-only belts provide limited protection. “They can provide a benefit… if they’re worn properly,” Sweeney said, but passengers remain “very vulnerable to injury from the flailing upper body.”
In the Leander ISD Texas rollover crash, that Director of Transportation Tracie Franco also presented during the conference, only six of 42 observed students were wearing seatbelts, and most were wearing them incorrectly. Students who were restrained were less likely to be thrown from their seats or ejected, though injuries still occurred due to the severity of the crash.
Based on such findings, the NTSB has repeatedly called on states to require lap/shoulder belts on large school buses and to strengthen enforcement of proper usage through driver training, onboard monitoring and clearer district policies.
Danger Zone Risks Examined
Beyond the bus interior, Sweeney emphasized that some of the most dangerous moments for students occur outside the vehicle.
One of the most dangerous areas for the student is the zone within about 10 feet of the bus, she said, particularly during pickup and drop-off times.
In a 2018 Indiana crash, a pickup truck traveling about 41 mph struck and killed four students crossing to board a stopped school bus despite warning lights and an extended stop-arm.
Other cases have highlighted the role of distracted driving. In Wisconsin, a teenage driver exchanging text messages struck a school bus and fatally hit a student moments later.
To address these risks, the NTSB has recommended stronger enforcement of stop-arm violations, expanded use of camera systems to catch illegal passing, and new vehicle technologies such as automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection systems.
“We asked school districts to work with law enforcement to create educational campaigns and high-visibility enforcement,” Sweeney said.
Despite the risks and ongoing challenges, Sweeney stressed that school buses remain the safest form of student transportation in the U.S.
“We advocate and tell people school buses are the safest way to transport a student,” she said.
Still, industry leaders at the session warned that driver shortages, operational challenges and declining ridership could increase risks if more families rely on personal vehicles instead of buses.
The Tennessee crash investigation is expected to produce a preliminary report in the coming months, with a final report, including safety recommendations, likely more than a year away.
Florida law enforcement authorities arrested a veteran school bus driver for allegedly ignored railroad warning signals and driving into the path of an oncoming train that struck the rear of her vehicle with 29 students on board.
Yvonne Hampton, 67, a former driver for the Sumter County School District, faces charges of reckless driving, culpable negligence and 29 counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred April 2 in Bushnell, Florida. Officials said a train clipped the back of school bus No. 2517 after Hampton drove onto the tracks despite active warning signals.
No injuries were reported, but students described the incident as terrifying.
Recounting the Near-Miss
Investigators reviewed surveillance video from inside the bus, which reportedly showed the railroad crossing’s warning arms and sirens were activated at about 4:07 p.m. as the bus approached. Six seconds later, a woman’s voice, believed to be Hampton, was heard saying, “Not gonna stop for no train,” before the bus proceeded across the tracks. Moments later, the train struck the rear left side of the bus. Only cellphone video recorded by students inside the bus has been publicly shared.
Students could be heard reacting in panic in the video, with one shouting, “There is a train coming!” Authorities said Hampton told students to “get in your seats” seconds before impact.
Hampton told deputies she was already moving across the tracks when the warning system activated and that she continued forward as far as possible. Investigators, however, allege she ignored the signals and made the decision to cross despite the approaching train.
Sumter County Sheriff Pat Breeden said in an update that deputies working with the school district conducted a thorough investigation that led to the Florida driver’s arrest.
Superintendent Logan Brown said Hampton had worked for the district since 2015 and resigned in lieu of termination following the incident.
“The trust that our families place in us to transport their children safely is something we take extremely seriously,” Brown said in a video statement. “Anyone who jeopardizes that trust will not work in the Sumter County School District.”
Alleged Neglect Could Have Been Disastrous
Brown emphasized how narrowly a more serious tragedy was avoided.
“When you look at the totality of this situation, we truly averted what could have been a catastrophic event,” he said, noting the collision missed a more severe impact by “a matter of six inches.”
Brown also praised the train conductor, who he said sounded the horn continuously and attempted to brake upon seeing the bus on the tracks.
“Based on everything we know, he did everything he was supposed to do, and in my view, he’s a hero in this situation,” Brown said.
Parents and students said the emotional impact remains significant. District officials said the crossing where the crash occurred lacks red traffic lights and provides limited clearance space for large vehicles after crossing the tracks. Following the incident, the district determined the location is unsafe for school bus routes and has since rerouted so school buses do not cross it.
Officials said they are reviewing additional safety measures. “We have also learned valuable lessons from this incident and are actively reviewing additional safety measures to ensure that something like this does not happen again,” Brown said.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
A Lynchburg school bus driver has been arrested for alleged child strangulation during an incident on a bus parked at an elementary school, reported WDBJ 7.
Police responded to an incident at Linkhorne Elementary School March 30, after receiving a report of a disorderly individual. An investigation later determined that a school bus driver allegedly assaulted a student while the bus was parked in the schools lot.
Authorities said via the article that the investigation, conducted in coordination with Lynchburg City Schools, revealed the student had been strangled during the encounter. The child did not suffer life-threatening injuries from the alleged strangulation and is considered safe.
Effie Wynn, 73, of Lynchburg, was arrested April 4, and charged with child strangulation and neglect. She is being held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.
Police did not release additional details about what led to the incident or the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. Officials also did not say whether other students were present on the bus at the time.
The case remains under active investigation, and additional charges could be possible as the investigation continues. Lynchburg City Schools has not publicly commented on the arrest but has reportedly been cooperating with law enforcement.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
A man was arrested over the weekend after authorities say he stole a school bus from a high school parking lot and later abandoned it at a nearby store, reported ABC 13.
According to the news report, officers responded Saturday afternoon to a Dollar General near Glasgow High School after school officials reported that the stolen bus had been located. The vehicle showed visible scratches on the rear-passenger side and front that appeared to be recent.
Glasgow Independent Schools Superintendent Chad Muhlenkamp said GPS data indicated the bus was started at approximately 4:34 a.m., left school property and traveled along Coral Hill Road before making a stop. The bus was later parked at the Dollar General around 5:27 a.m.
Security camera footage identified the suspect as 18-year-old Tayesean M. Barlow. The footage reportedly showed Barlow entering the bus with a flashlight and appearing to have what looked like a drum magazine attached to a handgun in his waistband. He was later seen sitting in the driver’s seat, starting the bus and driving away. Police said he briefly stopped to speak with someone out of view before continuing and eventually parking the bus.
According to the article, officers later went to Barlow’s home on Coral Hill Road, where his mother told them she was aware of the situation and had instructed her son to return the stolen bus. Barlow then came outside and was taken into custody.
While being held at the Barren County Detention Center, Barlow reportedly told police he had been with friends at a local apartment complex and decided to leave after “things got a little crazy.” He said he entered the bus after finding it unlocked, located the keys and drove it home because he did not want to walk.
Barlow remains jailed on a $25,000 cash bond. He faces charges including theft by unlawful taking, second-degree criminal mischief, unlawful possession of a weapon on school property, and operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license.
A 78-year-old school bus monitor in South Carolina is charged with sex crimes involving a teenage girl who was riding his bus, reported The Augusta Press.
According to the news report, McDonald Walker of Aiken was charged Friday with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and criminal solicitation of a minor. The charges stem from an incident reported March 6 on a school bus.
Police stated a 14-year-old girl said she boarded the bus and took a seat when Walker approached her. “The bus monitor got up from his seat and went over to speak to her and then returned to his seat,” the report states. “The victim stated she began crying.”
Authorities reportedly said Walker allegedly made another comment to the teen girl as she was getting off the bus. Details of the alleged conduct were not immediately released, and officials said additional information is expected in formal warrants.
Aiken Public Safety Lt. Jennifer Hayes said investigators are working to obtain those warrants, which typically provide more specific descriptions of the allegations. Walker turned himself in to authorities Friday and was served with the warrants, Hayes said. He was later released after posting a $20,000 bond.
Officials have not released further details about the circumstances of the encounter or whether additional incidents are being investigated. It was also unclear if Aiken County Public Schools continued to employ the school bus monitor.
Records show Walker has previously been arrested multiple times in Aiken County. Past charges include domestic violence in 2017, 2018, and 2023, as well as violating an order of protection in 2018. He was also charged with assault and battery in 2017, a case that resulted in a sentence of 30 days in jail or a fine. The investigation remains ongoing.
CONCORD, N.C. — School transportation professionals are using children’s books to address a critical and ongoing challenge: Ensuring student safety on and around school buses.
During a March 30 session at the STN EXPO East conference in Concord, North Carolina, two transportation professionals and now authors highlighted how storytelling is helping bridge gaps between schools, families and transportation departments while reinforcing safety lessons for the more than 20 million students who ride school buses each day.
Jackson, a former educator with more than 25 years of experience, said her transition from the classroom to transportation revealed a need for consistent, accessible safety education. She began writing children’s books during the COVID-19 pandemic to help parents and teachers reinforce expectations outside the bus environment.
Her work focuses on creating a “unifying language” that connects the classroom, the bus and the home, allowing students to learn safety behaviors in multiple settings before they are tested in real-world situations.
Valerie Higley, a substitute bus driver and dispatcher for First Student in East Lyme, Connecticut, shared similar motivation. She said her book, Shaman Rides the School Bus, was inspired by firsthand experiences managing student behavior on crowded buses, particularly during driver shortages.
On one early school day, Higley found herself transporting more than 50 elementary students, including kindergartners.
“It was very, very difficult,” she said during the session moderated by School Transportation News Senior Editor Taylor Ekbatani. “So, I put all the most important lessons in a story that I could read to them… at a time when they were not distracted.”
Higley said her book is designed to reflect real-life bus behavior, allowing students to see themselves in the story and better understand expectations. Through relatable characters and scenarios, she addresses common issues such as students leaving their seats, throwing objects and failing to follow directions, behaviors she said are often easier to correct when discussed proactively rather than in the moment.
The books written by both authors cover core safety principles such as staying seated, respecting others, exiting buses properly and understanding the “danger zone,” the area around the bus where visibility is limited and risks are highest. Higley emphasized that even simple scenarios, such as retrieving a dropped item, can become dangerous if children are not properly trained.
A panel discussion at STN EXPO East on March 30, 2026 featured two student transportation professionals who wrote children’s books that teach school bus safety. From Left to Right: Valerie Higley, school bus driver at East Lyme Public Schools in Connecticut; session moderator STN Senior Editor Taylor Ekbatani; and Monique Jackson, area transportation manager at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina.
“Don’t just pick it up. Go get your driver’s attention,” she said, describing one of the key lessons included in her story.
She added that the stories are intentionally flexible, allowing educators and transportation staff to adapt lessons based on local needs, such as emphasizing railroad crossings or other region-specific safety concerns.
The urgency behind these efforts is underscored by real-world incidents. Jackson recounted a recent case in CMS earlier in March in which a student was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street to board a bus, an event witnessed by classmates and parents.
“It’s critical that we talk about the danger zone and how you can be safe even at the bus stop,” she said.
Safety Education Takes Time
Both speakers stressed that early and repeated exposure to safety messaging is essential. Jackson noted that it typically takes about 21 days for children to develop habits, making the beginning of the school year a crucial window for establishing expectations.
Beyond safety instruction, the books are also helping to elevate the role of school bus drivers, who are often viewed as outliers to the educational process despite being among the first and last adults students encounter each day.
“The school bus is a classroom on wheels,” Jackson said, adding that drivers serve not only as operators but also as mentors and protectors.
Higley agreed, noting that transportation staff are frequently overlooked in broader school culture and that stronger connections between drivers and students can improve both safety and behavior.
“There’s a disconnect between the classroom and the bus,” she said. “If we can make the conversation happen when they’re receptive to it… it’s a game changer.”
Districts are beginning to integrate these books into broader safety and educational initiatives. Authors reported being invited into classrooms for read-aloud sessions, participating in events such as Read Across America Week and collaborating with early childhood programs to meet safety training standards.
In some cases, the books are being used as part of formal curriculum or enrichment programs, while others are distributed to families to encourage conversations at home.
The reach of these efforts is also expanding internationally. Jackson recently presented her work to students in Italy, where she said children were able to connect with the universal image of the yellow school bus despite language differences.
Higley’s book has been translated into multiple languages, including French, Spanish and Italian, with plans to expand further to serve diverse communities.
Both authors emphasized that public awareness is just as important as student education. Illegal passing of stopped school buses remains a widespread issue, with annual stop-arm violation reports documenting thousands of infractions nationwide.
To broaden their impact, the authors are engaging with local media, participating in community events, and sharing seasonal safety tips aimed at drivers and families alike.
Looking ahead, both plan to continue expanding their work, including developing additional books, incorporating more diverse student experiences and increasing accessibility through translations and specialized content.
Their shared goal remains clear: To make school bus safety education engaging, consistent and accessible for every child.
“Keeping that conversation going… is a gift,” Higley said.
Authorities in Yellowstone County are investigating after a mother reported that a 6-year-old student brought a vape device onto a school bus in Shepherd, used it and shared it with other children, reported KTVQ News.
The mother, who requested anonymity to protect her daughter’s identity, said via the news report that her child admitted to trying the vape after another student brought it on board.
“She told me, ‘Mom, I have to be honest with you. Another kid on the bus had a vape,’” the mother said. “And I was like, ‘And you tried it?’ and she was like, ‘Yeah, I did.’”
The mother told local news reporters that she immediately contacted school officials after learning of the incident, which she said had occurred days earlier without the school’s knowledge. “The next morning, I went to the school and let them know,” she said. “They didn’t know anything, and this was now day three.”
According to the news report, the Shepherd School District notified the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Mike Linder said a guardian of the child who brought the vape was initially cited for child endangerment, but that the citation has since been rescinded. The county attorney’s office is reviewing the case.
District officials reportedly declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
The incident has raised concerns among parents about young children vaping. Caroline Joyce, executive director of Parents Against Vaping, said such cases, while rare, reflect a growing trend.
“Vaping is starting to reach more elementary school-aged children,” Joyce said via the article. “These products are widely available and appealing.”
Joyce said vaping poses serious health risks and criticized marketing practices, which target youth. “Six is incredibly alarming,” she said of the child’s age. “It’s an indication of systemic failures.”
She added that addressing the issue will require more than punishment, calling for broader education and prevention efforts.
A school bus driver in southeastern Massachusetts is under investigation after authorities say he allegedly urinated inside a bus while transporting young students to an elementary school.
The incident occurred March 30, as the bus was on route to Hoyle Elementary School, according to a news release from the Swansea Police Department.
Police said preliminary findings indicate that the 71-year-old driver pulled the bus over during the route and instructed students to move to the back. He then allegedly remained in the driver’s seat and relieved himself inside the vehicle while the children were still on board.
After the incident, the driver completed the route and dropped off the students at the school, authorities said. The situation came to light when some of the children reported what had happened to school staff, prompting an investigation by school officials and police.
“This type of behavior in the presence of children, especially young children, is unacceptable,” a statement reads.
Authorities said there were 12 children on the bus at the time, ranging from pre-kindergarten to second grade. Police noted that investigators currently believe none of the students directly witnessed the act itself.
School officials notified the parents of all children who were on the bus. The driver, who has not been publicly identified, is no longer permitted to operate within the Swansea Public Schools system. Police said the school district informed Amaral Bus Company, the transportation provider for the district, that the driver has been removed from service.
In addition, Swansea Public Schools is reviewing its relationship with the company and considering measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As of Monday afternoon, no criminal charges had been filed against the driver. Detectives are continuing to investigate the allegations.
School officials have also filed a report with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families in accordance with standard procedures. Officials emphasized the seriousness of the matter and said the investigation remains ongoing.
A Georgia mother said her young daughter was found walking alone along a highway after being dropped off at the wrong school bus stop, raising concerns about student transportation safety, reported WCTV News.
According to the news report, the incident occurred in Terrell County, where a kindergartner was supposed to be dropped off at her usual stop, where her grandfather picks her up. Instead, the 6-year-old was let off about a half mile away near a trailer park along U.S. Highway 520.
A deputy reportedly responded after receiving reports of a child walking along the busy highway carrying a backpack. A Georgia State Patrol trooper and a nearby resident later located the student. Officials confirmed the child attends Cooper-Carver Elementary School.
The child’s mother Kiara Jones said via the article that her daughter was “crying and shaking” after the incident and had tried to alert the bus driver that she was at the wrong stop when she did not see her grandfather.
School officials responded immediately after learning about the situation, providing direct support to the student and her family. The district reportedly stated that the bus driver involved has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.
No injuries were reported, but the situation could have been dangerous given the traffic along the highway.
The incident has prompted renewed concern about student drop-off procedures and supervision, particularly for younger children who may not be able to navigate unfamiliar areas safely.
Officials said they are working to determine how the error occurred and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Massachusetts parents are among those nationwide breathing easier after First Student and the Teamsters reached a tentative agreement, averting a nationwide school bus driver strike.
The labor deal was announced Tuesday ahead of a contract deadline and after two days of bargaining meetings.
Last week, union members voted to authorize a strike if negotiations completely broke down. The Teamsters represents more than 17,000 First Student school bus drivers nationwide, including those serving multiple districts in Massachusetts.
Union leaders said the agreement came after workers signaled they were prepared to walk off the job if necessary. The hang up had been benefits and time off. The tentative agreement is providing sronger retirement benefits, improved access to health care benefits, and robust contractual protections for all members, according to the Teamsters.
“First Student Teamsters were unified and prepared to take on this company nationwide,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said in a statement. “Our solidarity forced real movement at the bargaining table, and we delivered a contract in the 11th hour that honors the critical work our members do every day.”
According to the union, the tentative labor deal establishes a national framework for wages and benefits, including stronger retirement plans, improved access to health care and enhanced contractual protections. Local unions will continue negotiating additional terms, and members are expected to vote on the agreement in the coming weeks.
“This tentative agreement is the direct result of members standing shoulder to shoulder and refusing to settle for less,” said Matt Taibi, director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division. “Workers showed the company they were prepared to strike if necessary, and that solidarity made the difference at the bargaining table.”
First Student confirmed the agreement in a statement to STN, calling it “a tentative agreement on a new, fair National Master First Student Agreement.” The company said the proposal will now move through the union’s ratification process with the bargaining team’s full support.
“There has been no disruption to service, and we will continue to operate as normal,” a company spokesperson said. “We appreciate the professionalism and engagement of everyone involved in reaching this milestone.”
The agreement eases concerns for families who rely on school bus service. In Massachusetts, parents had expressed concern that a strike would create significant challenges for working households with limited transportation options.
Labor Deal Avoids Parental, School Disruptions
First Student provides transportation services for several school districts across the state, among the hundreds in 40 other states. Many communities depend heavily on the company’s drivers to maintain daily school bus and classroom operations. A disruption in service could have forced families to make last-minute arrangements or keep students at home.
School officials had also warned through local news reports that even the threat of a strike added strain to an already tight transportation system. In Wayland, Superintendent David Fleishman pointed to an ongoing shortage of drivers.
“It’s challenging when there is not a strike,” Fleishman said. “We are hopeful this will be settled since kids need to be in school and school needs to be open.”
Transportation shortages have affected some districts in recent years, with fewer drivers available to cover routes. Officials said a strike would have further complicated efforts to ensure students arrive safely and on time.
Pennsylvania officials are investing nearly a quarter million dollars to train new school bus drivers as part of a new program aimed at improving student transportation safety across the state.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said in a statement last month the funding will help seven school districts and transportation providers cover costs tied to training nearly 90 new drivers, including commercial driver’s license training, trainee wages, testing fees and permit costs.
Officials said the funding is part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s newly established School Bus Safety Program, designed to expand the number of qualified drivers and strengthen safety measures for students traveling to and from school. The national school bus driver shortage remains one of the greatest challenges faced by school transportation.
“Ensuring enough drivers to safely get our students to school is another way we’re focusing on our children’s futures,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll in a statement.
He added that the funding will help schools and transportation providers make student transportation more reliable.
The funds awarded will support driver training programs across multiple counties. Recipients include the Chartiers Valley School District in Allegheny County, which received $17,256 to train 12 new drivers, and Fullington Auto Bus Company serving Centre and Clearfield counties, which received $42,500 to train 25 drivers.
Other recipients include contractor Krapf School Bus – GKJ Inc. serving Chester, Dauphin and York counties, which received $98,160 to train 32 drivers; Boyo Transportation Services in Dauphin County, which received $31,250 to train 10 drivers; the North East School District in Erie County, which received $8,160 to train eight drivers; the Laurel School District in Lawrence County, which received $1,000 for driver certification costs; and DMJ Transportation in Westmoreland County, which received $50,000 to train additional drivers.
Program award funds comes from fines collected through Pennsylvania’s automated school bus enforcement system. State law allows school buses to use camera systems to capture motorists who illegally pass buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arms.
Officials said $25 of each $300 fine issued through the enforcement system goes toward the School Bus Safety Grant Program. STN contacted the districts awarded but had not heard back at this writing.
A high school student shot by a classmate was after getting off a school bus in northwest Houston at the time of the incident, reported Click 2 Houston.
The student, who attends Scarborough High School, was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg on March 20, according to the news report. The shooting occurred after the bus stopped near Langwood Park and Benbrook Elementary School, the article noted.
Investigators believe an altercation began on the school bus and continued after the students exited.
“What we believe happened is there was a fight on a school bus here,” said Lt. Larry Crowson of the Houston Police Department. “The fight continued off the school bus into the intersection where you had one student shoot another student.”
A nearby resident who witnessed the shooting said she heard three gunshots and called 911 while rushing to help the injured student.
“I was trying to put a tourniquet on his foot since there was a lot of blood,” the woman told local news reporters. “One person put a sweater on top, and another man put a belt around his leg so he wouldn’t lose too much blood.”
The witness also said the shooting happened near areas where children frequently gather, including a park and nearby school, raising concerns among residents.
Authorities added that a nearby elementary school where an after-school program was being held was placed on lockdown during the investigation. The suspected shooter, also a student, was later located at a nearby home and taken into custody, police said. Authorities have not released additional details about potential charges. The condition of the student shot has not been publicly released.
A Georgia school bus driver is being hailed as a hero after stopping her route to alert and safely evacuate a family from a house fire, reported FOX 5 Atlanta.
Marlene Davis, a Morgan County school bus driver, was on her morning route March 20 when she noticed smoke and flames coming from a home, according to the news report.
“I saw the big flame coming from inside the house,” Davis told local news reporters. “I just had to stop the bus and go to the door.”
Davis, who had one student on the school bus at the time, pulled over and rang the doorbell until someone answered, the report said.
A man inside, who had been asleep, answered the door and was unaware that the home was surrounded by flames. Davis helped him and others inside to evacuate safely. Everyone inside the house did not suffer any injuries, and the fire was later contained.
Davis said she later realized how serious the situation was after receiving a message from her supervisor indicating the residents had been asleep.
“It was the only thing that I could have done, and it was the right thing to do,” she said. “And I couldn’t just leave them.”
Later that day, the homeowner where the evacuated family lived flagged Davis down by flashing his vehicle headlights to give her a card and express his gratitude for her actions. Family members and loved ones also expressed gratitude for the driver’s quick thinking, which may have prevented serious injury or worse.
Officials have not released additional details about the cause of the fire. The investigation is ongoing.
A Bibb County school bus driver is being praised for his quick-thinking by steering a bus full of students to safety at a local fire station during a tornado warning, reported 13wmaz.
Alfonso Ponder, who drives for Bibb County Schools, told local news reporters that he began his March 12 route around 5:45 a.m. and expected a routine morning before conditions quickly deteriorated.
“Everything was pretty, pretty good until about 6:30 [a.m.] maybe,” Ponder said via the article. “[Then] I got an alert to my phone saying we was up on a tornado warning and take shelter. Dispatch had told us to take shelter also.”
With about 15 students on board headed to Howard High School, Ponder was driving near a fire station when the alert came through and winds intensified. He decided to pull into the station.
“I had about 15 kids on the bus at the time, and I had decided to pull up because the wind was blowing so hard,” he told reporters. “When I pulled up, the firefighter welcomed me along with 15 kids in for safety.”
Ponder said he had been monitoring the worsening weather and had already identified the fire station as the safest nearby option.
“The weather was kind of getting bad,” he said. “So, I already had to figure out, OK, if they tell us shelter in place, I was gonna try to make it to the fire station, because that’s about the safest place around I can make it.”
Students Kept Safe as Tornado Warning Passes
Firefighters brought Ponder and the students inside, where they remained for about 20 to 25 minutes until the tornado warning expired, and it was safe to continue the route.
The storm frightened many of the students, Ponder stated. “Most of them [were] telling me, ‘Can you please get me back to the house?’” he said. “I said, ‘No, I cannot. I got to get y’all to safety.’ And that’s the only thing was on my mind at the time, getting the kids’ safety, my safety.”
Ponder, who has been driving school buses for about three years, said the experience was his first encounter with a tornado warning while on the job. Afterward, several parents contacted him to express gratitude for protecting their children.
Capt. Keith Carter said his crew at Bibb County Fire Station 3 acted immediately when the bus arrived. “My 25 years, that was my first school bus pulling to the station,” Carter said. “I knew something was wrong. We assisted them getting off the bus, coming into the station. Mr. Ponder; he did follow his protocol. So, he came to the nearest, safest place. We wake up every day wanting to help different people.”
Ponder said he remains thankful that everyone made it through the storm unharmed.
“I want to give a special thanks to the Bibb County Fire Department for allowing me and the kids to get to safety,” he said. “I’m glad all the kids and my coworkers, everybody, was safe.”
Police arrested a suburban Denver school bus driver on suspicion of sexually assaulting a child.
Officers for the Lakewood Police Department were notified March 11 of a possible assault involving a 10-year-old student and the child’s school bus driver, identified as 64-year-old Robert Charles Watters, according to authorities.
A child reported that the Jefferson County Public Schools driver had engaged in what investigators described as an “inappropriate relationship,” prompting an immediate investigation.
Watters turned himself in March 12 and was taken into custody. He was arrested and faces charges on suspicion of sexual assault on a child involving a pattern of abuse and a position of trust, police said.
The allegations stem from what police called an inappropriate relationship. No further details were provided.
“As part of this investigation, detectives are asking anyone who may have information or believes they may have been a victim or witness to come forward,” police said in a March 13 statement posted to Facebook, urging the public to contact the Lakewood Police tip line.
Watters remained in custody at the Jefferson County jail as of March 13, authorities said.
According to police, Watters has worked as a school bus driver for Jefferson County Public Schools near Denver since 2018. He drove Hutchinson Elementary School students on the C-49 route from 2021 to 2023 and had been assigned to the C-31 route since August 2023.
Officials emphasized that the charges are allegations and that Watters is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Police continue to investigate and are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact authorities. The investigation remains ongoing.
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