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Arizona Annual Stuff the Bus Back to School Drive Returns

The Fulton Homes annual Stuff the Bus back-to-school drive event in Arizona is underway at Chandler Fashion Center, reported ABC 15.

According to the news report, from this week through July 6, a school bus will be parked at the mall just outside the food court, accepting donations for K-12 school supplies. The supplies will be given to students receiving help through the nonprofit Save the Family.

Fulton Homes, Save the Family and Phoenix-based radio station KUPD are reportedly hosting a promotional event at Chandler Fashion Center with free giveaways on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The article states that Spinato’s Pizza, Mrs. Fields, JD Sports, P.F. Changs, Freddy’s Frozen Custard, and the Mexicano will participate this year, handing out free food and giveaways to the first 50 school donations.


Related: Massachusetts School District to Host “Stuff-A-Bus” Event for Holiday Toy Drive
Related: Maryland Transportation Department Collects Donations for Local Toy, Food Drive
Related: Wisconsin District Holds School Bus Test Drive Event
Related: Arkansas School Bus Driver Donates Shoes to Local Organizations

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Indiana School District Hosts “Hop on and Hire” Bus Driver Career Day Amid Shortages

South Bend Community Schools hosted a “Hop and Hire” event to help combat the school bus driver shortage, reported WNDU News.

According to the article, School Bus Career Day, which was held on Saturday morning at 3003 North Bendix Drive, focused on hiring bus drivers to tackle the ongoing shortage. The aim was to hire at least 10 to 15 bus drivers before the upcoming school year.

“What we do here in the community, I think, it’s awareness of what we do, how important our job is to the community,” David Tartt, South Bend Schools’ transportation training coordinator, told local news reporters. “We take care of the most precious cargo that can be transported on the planet, and it’s a huge responsibility and we love what we do.”

Benefits for full-time drivers reportedly include health insurance, paid time off and free CDL training.

According to local news, for four hours, instructors focused on hiring school bus drivers and provided eligible applicants the chance for on-site interviews.

Additionally, attendees reportedly had the chance to drive a school bus under the supervision of trained experts.


Related: Turning School Bus Driver Shortages Into Opportunities
Related: Arizona School District Increases Bus Driver Pay to Help with Shortage
Related: Indiana Leader McKinney Discusses Alternate Fuels, School Bus Driver Shortage
Related: School Bus Driver Shortage Impacts Florida Districts

The post Indiana School District Hosts “Hop on and Hire” Bus Driver Career Day Amid Shortages appeared first on School Transportation News.

Pennsylvania Man Admits to Drinking After Fleeing Crash While Driving School Van with Students

The driver of a school van in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, admitted drinking after fleeing a crash while transporting students, reported CBS News.

The driver, identified as 66-year-old Jeffrey Irwin, is facing a total of 27 charges, including multiple counts of DUI, reckless driving, and endangering the welfare of children.

Pittsburgh Public Safety said via the article that Irwin crashed into another vehicle on the 16th Street Bridge before fleeing the scene. He was transporting approximately six 10-year-olds at the time of the incident.

The students on board the van reportedly began contacting their parents to alert them of the situation. Law enforcement tracked down the van through GPS on children’s phones. Authorities located the vehicle and stopped the driver at an intersection. Students were safely returned to their families and there were no reported injuries.

One of the students on board the bus told local news reporters that Irwin almost flipped the bus over and then started moving into other lanes, almost hitting a car.

The criminal complaint states via the article that Irwin admitted to having three to four drinks prior to transporting the students. According to police, he also told an officer that he “self-medicates” with alcohol. Irwin had at least one prior DUI and left the scene of a crash in 2001.

Baldwin-Whitehall School District said via the article that the van was operated by contractor First Student and the driver is not a district employee. The case is under investigation.


Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Faces Sentence After DUI Crash
Related: Pennsylvania School Van Driver Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for DUI
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Indicted For DUI
Related: Massachusetts School Van Driver Faces DUI, Child Endangerment Charges

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Ohio School Bus Drivers Attend Life-Saving Emergency Training

Over 200 Ohio school bus drivers gathered in Mansfield for an emergency training course, reported Fox 8.

The emergency training course held June 16 aimed to help school bus drivers to better understand what it is like trying to evacuate a bus filled with students as it is catching fire, or if the bus has rolled over following a crash.

For one of the exercises, drivers reportedly filled into a bus as if they were students and were encouraged to think as if their students were on board the bus. The bus was filled up with fog to mimic smoke from a fire.

Drivers that attended the training told local news reporters that the experience was far more intense than what they might have been taught in their driver training.

“If you are actually in that situation, it is ten times scarier than training, it’s unbelievable,” said Shardae Taylor of Mansfield, who participated as the driver of the bus that was filled with “smoke” and the one tasked with making sure everyone evacuated safely.

For another scenario, the drivers were led into a school bus that was overturned on its side. For the drill, the bus was drained of fluids, including fuel and oil, but drivers could easily see how disorienting it was inside the overturned bus as they worked to evacuate through vents in the roof, window and a back door.

With the help of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, drivers were also instructed in safety procedures, including where law requires them to place placards on the roadway in the event of a breakdown, cutting seatbelts on buses that have them on board and how to properly use flares.

Jim Sullivan of the Ohio Bus Pre-Service program told local news reporters that part of the funding for the training comes from the Department of Education. Training drivers, particularly in how to react in emergency scenarios, can save lives.

On any given school day, there are reportedly more than 700,000 children across Ohio who ride buses to school. Their safety is in the hands of between 15 and 20 thousand drivers.

The news report states that although the 240 drivers in attendance represent only a small percentage of all school bus drivers across the state, the hope is that they will take what they learn and share it with other drivers in their communities.


Related: WATCH: Fire Expert to Lead School Bus Evacuation Training at STN EXPO West
Related: Accident Investigation Training Returns to STN EXPO West
Related: TSD Evacuation Class Emphasizes Importance of Training
Related: Operation STEER Hands-On School Bus Emergency Training Expands in Texas

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Illinois Parents File Lawsuit Against School District, Bus Company

The parents of a 10-year-old girl filed a lawsuit against their daughter’s district after the child was sexually assaulted on the school bus, reported Kansas City Star.

The federal lawsuit was filed against Taylorville Community Unit School District #3 and Durham School Services on June 17.

Local news reporters reached out to the district for comments but did not immediately hear back from the district. A spokesperson from school bus contractor Durham School Services said the company cannot comment on pending litigation.

The lawsuit reportedly stems from an alleged sexual assault that took place during the 2023-2024 school year between students at Taylorville Junior High School.

According to the news report, in late January 2024, a 10-year-old girl with ADHD and autism was experiencing severe and pervasive bullying by a boy on board the bus and at a bus stop.

During a one-week period, the boy sat next to the girl on the school bus and repeatedly sexually assaulted her on their way home from school, the lawsuit said. The girl was corned as she was assaulted.

The complaint claims the boy told the girl that he would hurt her and her family if she told anyone about the incident. The boy also allegedly sexually assaulted her multiple times off the bus near a community center. The girl reportedly told a librarian at the center what happened, and her teacher was notified.

According to the lawsuit, the girl’s parents filed a police report, demanded protection from school officials and “insisted” the district to keep the boy away from their daughter. The district responded by placing the boy on a different school bus with younger children.

The complaint says the district took no measures whatsoever to prevent the boy from having access to the girl at or near the school bus stop.

After the alleged assault, the girl’s parents were told several times by community members that the boy had a prior history of engaging in acts of sexual improprieties on other younger children, according to the lawsuit via the article.

The lawsuit reportedly accuses the district of failing to notify all teachers of the safety plan, failing to get 30 days of bus footage after the assaults, failing to provide adequate safety protocols at and around the bus stops and on the bus, and failing to follow the order of protection issues on Feb. 2, 2024, which prohibited the boy from accessing the girl’s school.

The lawsuit is asking for an undetermined amount in damages.


Related: Philadelphia Students Sexually Assaulted on School Bus
Related: Indiana 15-year-old Accused of Sexual Assault on Ohio School Bus
Related: South Carolina Parent Runs School Bus Off Road After Alleged Child Assault
Related: Psychologist Shares How to Navigate Problematic Sexual Behaviors on School Bus

The post Illinois Parents File Lawsuit Against School District, Bus Company appeared first on School Transportation News.

South Carolina Man Arrested for Allegedly Pointing Gun at School Bus

Authorities arrested a Horry County, South Carolina, man last week in connection to an incident last month in which a gun was pointed at a school bus transporting students, reported WMBF News.

The incident occurred May 7, when 34-year-old Emmanuel Ingram pointed a gun at a school bus with children inside.

Police stated that the Horry County Schools bus driver was dropping students off at their homes and saw a suspect, later identified as Ingram, at one of the bus stops.

According to several witnesses, Ingram allegedly pointed a small black handgun at the bus.

He also got on board the bus and started yelling at the school bus driver and the children, police added. Security video obtained by police showed the bus driver asking Ingram to get off the bus multiple times. Initially Ingram refused to do so, but later left the bus without injuring anyone.

Police did note that they could not determine in the video footage if Ingram had a gun, due to the angle and quality of the cameras. However, Ingram is facing multiple charges, including three counts of pointing and presenting firearms at a person, interfering with the operations of a school bus and contempt of family court. He is being held without bond at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

The investigation is ongoing.


Related: North Carolina Student in Custody for Bringing Gun on School Bus
Related: Iowa Student Found with BB Gun on School Bus
Related: Maryland Student Arrested for Bringing Handgun On Board School Bus
Related: Alaska School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI, Firearm Possession

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Connecticut Student Encounters Bears After Getting Off School Bus

A 13-year-old student encountered black bears after getting off her school bus in West Hartford, Connecticut, reported NBC News.

According to the news report, seconds after the teen got off her school bus, she was greeted by two black bears. The teen, who was not identified in this writing, immediately called her mom, Jeannette Dardenne, upon seeing the bears.

Dardenne told local news reporters that her daughter told her in a very calm voice, “Mom, there is a bear in front of me,” then she paused and said, “There are two bears in front of me.”

Dardenne reportedly stayed on the phone with her daughter until the bears moved away.

“I think she was more like, ‘It’s beautiful,’ and I think it was also a lesson for her to recognize that there are wild animals here and you do have to take note,” said Dardenne.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is tracking an increase in bear sightings. The bear population in the state is estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,200.

DEEP Wildlife Division Director Jenny Dickson said the uptick in activity is coming from bears trying to find food. Deep stated that in most cases, if a bear is left alone, it will make its way to a more natural habitat.


Related: Connecticut School Bus Catches on Fire
Related: Connecticut School Bus Driver Spreads Positivity By Wearing Various Hats
Related: Illinois School Bus Driver Finds Teen Wandering Alone
Related: Driver on Phone Almost Hits Mom, Student Getting Off School Bus

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Michael Miller Honored as 2025 Outstanding Transportation Director in Ohio

Michael Miller, the transportation director for Sycamore Community City School District in Ohio, was named the 2025 Outstanding Transportation Director of the Year.

Ohio Association of School Business Officials Foundation for School Business Management released a statement that Miller had won award. It was created by the OASBO Foundation to recognize the accomplishments of Ohio’s school business officials in their exceptional service to their districts, community, and the profession.

Michael Miller, president of the Ohio Association for Pupil Transportation

Miller, who is also the current president of Ohio Association for Pupil Transportation (OAPT), was nominated by Brad Lovell, assistant superintendent of operations in Sycamore Community City School District. The awards also provide a $1,000 scholarship for a high school senior from the recipient’s district.

With 36 yeas of expertise and deep understanding of Ohio’s school transportation policies, Miller transformed Sycamore’s transportation operations into a model of efficiency and safety.

According to the statement, Miller oversees daily operations for over 4,000 students and manages a dedicated team of 70 staff members with precision and care. His strategic consolidation of over 600 bus stops reduced routes from 55 to 45, saving the district significant resources while maintaining high-quality service.

Miller, who has been a licensed school bus driver for 31 years and an onboard instructor for 21 years, has shared his expertise with many colleagues across the state. As a three-term president of OAPT, he has shaped the organization direction and advocacy efforts.

Previously, Miller served as a pupil transportation consultant with the Ohio School Boards Association and spent 10 years at school bus contractor Petermann Transportation as a transportation director and area operations manager. Currently, Miller is in his 11th year as the transportation director at Sycamore Community Schools. He was also honored with the 2017 William Rice Award that recognizes administrators who exhibit outstanding leadership.


Related: (STN Podcast E234) Leadership, Awarded: Meet the 2024 Transportation Director of the Year
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Related: Why Pennsylvania Transportation Director Declares: ‘I’m a Big Fan of Transfinder’

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West Virginia School Bus Driver Faces Sentence After DUI Crash

A West Virginia school bus driver convicted of DUI after the vehicle he was driving rolled over, crashed and injured more than a dozen students last year, faces a severe sentence, reported WCHS News.

According to the news report, 54-year-old Jeffrey Brannon, was sentenced on Thursday after entering a guilty plea to three counts of DUI causing bodily injury and 16 counts of child neglect, creating a risk of serious bodily injury or death.

Judge Anita Harold Ashley reportedly sentenced Brannon to 22 to 110 years in prison, with each of the sentences for each victim to be served consecutively.

The March 2024 rollover crash occurred along South Calhoun Highway, hospitalizing 19 students who were participating in after-school programming. State Police said via the article that Brannon’s blood alcohol level was recorded at .127 percent over three times the legal limit of .04 percent for commercial driver’s license holders.

One of the injured students, Kevin Wilson who was 14-years-old at the time of the crash, had his leg amputated due to severe injuries. Several students who were on board the bus at the time of the incident and family members of those injured, spoke at the sentencing hearing.


Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Indicted For DUI
Related: Pennsylvania School Van Driver Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for DUI
Related: Missouri School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI
Related: Minnesota School Bus Driver Arrested for Alleged DUI

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New York School Bus Matron Pleads Guilty to Trespassing

A Staten Island school bus matron New York City’s term for an aide or monitor — for students with special needs pleaded guilty to criminal trespassing after being accused of invading the home of a family from her route with a knife, reported SLive News.

The incident reportedly occurred on Dec. 6, when 59-year-old Joanne Dash entered the unidentified family’s property in the New Springville neighborhood.

According to the news report, a person at the home told authorities the defendant was in the area that leads to the main living room armed with a knife. An 18-year-old male resident came downstairs and encountered Dash before she fled in a vehicle but not before shouting, “You cost me my job.”

Dash was reportedly arrested on Dec. 17. Court documents do not state whether she had any interactions with anyone at the home prior to the incident, but sources with knowledge of the case said the victims were from her school bus route.

The article states that Dash was arraigned in criminal court on May 1, was granted supervised release, and appeared in supreme court last week on her own volition. The court, meanwhile, issued a full and final order of protection for the owner and residence of the property where the incident took place.

On June 5 while in court, Dash’s attorney John Rapawy told the judge that his client was fully aware of the terms of her plea deal and that she had full support of her family in putting the matter behind her. It remains unclear why Dash tresspassed the property in the first place.

The defendant reportedly assured the court that she was willing to waive several rights in taking a guilty plea, including the right to appeal and to review the prosecution’s evidence.

Per the approval of prosecutors and after further investigation, the court ordered Dash to complete 16 courses of anger management as a means to resolve the case. The defendant was reportedly facing the possibility of between five and 25 years in prison had she been convicted by a jury on the top count in connection to the incident.

If Dash violates the terms of the plea deal, she could be sentenced to one year in jail.


Related: Alaska School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI, Firearm Possession
Related: Alabama School Bus Driver Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Student with Special Needs
Related: North Carolina Student Brings Knife on School Bus
Related: West Virginia School Bus Driver Accused of DUI, Accepts Guilty Plea

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Walking School Bus Program Transforms Attendance in a School District in Washington

The “Walking School Bus” program at Regal Elementary in Spokane, Washington, helps students with attendance and promotes trust between the children and school staff, reported KXLY News.

The program pairs teachers and volunteers with students who need help getting to school. The volunteers walk door to door, collecting students and walking them safely to school each day.

According to the article, the program was initiated with the aim of helping students with attendance problems. Tony Debari, a counselor at the school, said that transportation issues often keep students from attending school.

Debari said the program has shown clear results, with 88 percent of students participating with the Walking School Bus having improved their attendance. Most participants now miss nine or fewer days per year.


Related: Study: School Buses Can Reduce Kindergarten Absenteeism

School staff also noticed that students are more excited about school and that morning walks have become a positive start to each day. The Walking School Bus runs Monday through Friday with volunteers maintaining consistent routes and schedules.

According to the news report, the program not only helps families who struggle to get their children to school consistently but also to build relationships and increase trust between students and staff.

The school reportedly plans to expand the program next year. The expansion could help more students and families who could benefit from transportation and community support.


Related: Walking Programs Save Some Students Left Without School Buses
Related: Florida Fathers and Father Figures Join Students for Walking School Bus
Related: Washington State Walking School Bus Program Provides Link to Community Engagement
Related: On the Block

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National Weather Service Predicts Above-Normal Hurricane Activity

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA’s) National Weather Service predict more named hurricanes are likely this season, which began on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

NOAA forecasts predict a 60-percent chance of an above-normal hurricane season and a 30-percent chance of a near-normal conditions. Meawhile, there is a 10-percent chance of a below-normal season.

According to a statement issued May 22, the agency is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 named storms, with six to 10 of them potentially becoming at least Category 1 hurricanes accompanied by winds of 74 mph or higher. Additionally, three to five hurricanes could reach Category 3 status with winds of 111 mph or higher.

The above-normal activity could be due to many factors such as ENSO-neutral conditions (neither warming El Niño or cooling La Niña water temperatures), warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear, and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes. NOAA said any of these elements tend to favor tropical storm formation.

Last fall, Helene and Milton affected the Southeastern part of the U.S. by using devastating damage. During the STN EXPO East Conference near Charlotte, North Carolina in March, transportation directors from affected areas in North Carolina and Florida discussed their experiences and responses to the storms.

The panelists noted the widespread power outages that occurred as a result of the hurricanes while sharing tips on their roads to recovery and important processes to remember during rescue and response efforts. This includes crucial input from school transportation departments.

With the hurricane season underway, school districts and transportation officials in storm-prone areas are encouraged to make the proper preparations, offer related training, and develop effective emergency management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of hurricanes on public safety and infrastructure.

The STN EXPO East session confirmed that before the disasters struck, the panelists thought such devastation would never happen in their area. A well-structured emergency operation is important as it can both enhance safety and foster a culture of resilience within the school community.


Related: Transportation Directors Discuss Hurricane Helene Response, Recovery
Related: Florida Student Transporters Rely on Past Experiences to Survive Hurricane Milton
Related: (STN Podcast E231) Come Together: Florida Hurricane Fallout, NAPT Conference Recap
Related: Updated: The Aftermath of Hurricane Helene Across the Southeast U.S.

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New Hampshire Students Recognized for Helping Bus Driver During Medical Emergency

Two high school students in Manchester, New Hampshire, are being recognized for their quick actions in helping their bus driver who became ill during his route.

The incident occurred on May 29 when the bus driver of the school bus transporting Memorial High School students back home. He began feeling unwell and pulled over to the side of the road.

According to a statement from the school, the driver, identified as Annese, radioed for help and told dispatchers he needed medicine. Student passengers Jadiel Mota and Rajahn Carrero, both sophomores at the local high school, quickly stepped up and helped the driver.

Mota told school officials that he had seen things like this happen before, so he immediately moved up from his seat, got on the radio, and tried to communicate the exact location of the bus to dispatch.

Meanwhile, Carrero, helped keep the driver calm. After realizing Annese did not have enough to eat during the day, Carrero asked his fellow riders for food and water.

Carrero told school officials that the whole bus deserved a “shout out” because without them helping, calling 911 and getting the food and water, this situation could have been different. The teen is a member of the Manchester Fire Department’s Junior Fire Explorers program, and he said the incident proved to him he could someday become a firefighter or EMT.

According to school officials, Annese was evaluated and treated for dehydration. He thanked Carrero and Mota but also echoed Carrero’s sentiments that the entire bus deserved praise.

Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel said the statement that the district is relieved Annese is alright and praised the students for their efforts. The district plans to recognize the students at an upcoming school board meeting.


Related: Iowa Students Help School Bus Driver During Medical Episode
Related: Pennsylvania Students Help School Bus Driver After He Passes Out
Related: Massachusetts School Bus Driver Crashes into Trees Due to Medical Emergency
Related: Minnesota Student Radios Help After School Bus Driver Suffer Medical Emergency

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Massachusetts School Bus Contractor Sued After Driver Accused of Striking Pedestrians

A bus contractor for Boston Public Schools (BPS) is being sued after one of its school driver allegedly caused a crash that injured an 8-year-old student with autism, reported WCVB 5.

The incident reportedly occurred last year, when a school bus veered onto a sidewalk at the Curley School in Jamaica Plain and struck the child, who was walking with a school aide.

According to the article, the lawsuit, filed this month by the child’s family, alleges gross negligence by contractor Transdev and its employees, citing inadequate supervision, failure to ensure alert and competent staff, and systemic safety failures.

The crash was captured by a dashboard camera in the school bus. Footage reportedly shows the bus driver and bus safety monitor, who were not identified, napping in their seats just moments before the driver awoke, started the bus, and swerved into pedestrians standing on the sidewalk.

The injured child’s guardian said the incident almost took her child’s life and that Transdev must be held accountable to protect children and prevent this from ever happening again.

Following the crash, police stated said the bus driver made multiple false claims, including that the bus experienced a “mechanical issue (steering).” But the investigating officer found that all existing mechanical issues on the bus were a result of the crash.

The bus driver also claimed that as he was pulling the bus forward, a vehicle cut in front of him, and that in attempt to avoid the vehicle he turned the steering wheel in the opposite direction but pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal by mistake.

According to the news report, the child sustained a broken femur, which resulted in surgery and months of impatient hospital care and treatment.

The lawsuit follows an independent investigation into school transportation safety by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and BPS, launched after a 5-year-old was struck and killed by a bus in the city’s Hyde Park April 28. The BPS bus driver, identified as Jean Charles, was driving on an expired school bus certificate, which he had been notified about.

Natashia Tidwell, a former federal prosecutor and police officer who specializes in external investigations, will lead the independent review of safety policies and performance under contracts with Transdev, the transportation company that has been contracting with BPS since 2013 to hire, train and manage the district’s approximately 750 school bus drivers.

The case is ongoing.


Related: Massachusetts Woman Arrested After Nearly Hitting Child Boarding School Bus
Related: Florida Students Hit, Two Killed During School Bus Stop Walks
Related: Texas Man Strikes Student with Vehicle
Related: Missouri Child Hit by Pickup Truck While Getting Off School Bus

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Florida School Bus Driver Accused of Striking a 12-Year-Old Student

A Bay District school bus driver has been arrested after being accused of child abuse, reported Panama City News Herald.

The incident reportedly occurred May 13, when school bus driver Stacy Christy Halloran allegedly struck a 12-year-old student in his upper right back with an open hand.

It is unclear what prompted this incident. However, the act was caught on the school bus security video. According to the news report, the slap was so hard that it could be heard in the video, which was taken with a camera located three rows from the front of the bus.

Halloran was reportedly charged with cruelty towards child/abuse without great bodily harm and was removed from duty. Her next court date is July 21.

Bay District’s Superintendent Mark McQueen said via the article that the incident is both troubling and disappointing. The investigation is ongoing.


Related: Colorado School District Pays $16.2M for Abuse of Student by Bus Attendant
Related: Florida School Bus Driver Faces Child Abuse Charges
Related: New Hampshire School Bus Driver Accused of Assaulting Students
Related: Florida Paraprofessional Facing Child Abuse Charges

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Pennsylvania Students Help School Bus Driver After He Passes Out

A group of Manheim Township School District students were recognized for helping their school bus driver, who passed out while driving, reported WGAL 8.

The incident reportedly occurred May 7, when school bus driver Mikel Tiedeken was dropping off students.

Tristan Dibbs, a student that witnessed the incident, told local news reporters that  Tiedeken walked toward the stairs of the bus while swaying a little bit to the left and right. In a matter of seconds, Tiedeken fell down the stairs at the front of the bus, scaring the students.

Two students, who were not identified in this writing, called 911 while others tried to figure out what to do next.

Eighth grader Jose Martinez told local news reporters that everyone started to help him. Tenth grader Isabella Gonzalez, who was near the front of the bus, also stated that she tried her best to help and get Tiedeken up from the bottom of the stairs.

According to the article, Tiedeken is okay. His doctor said he suffered a reaction to  new medication.

Tiedeken told reporters that the experience filled his heart in a new way and that he was humbled by the immediate action the students took to help him.

Brightbill Transportation, which reportedly runs busing for the district, provided pizza for the students. The teens also received certificates of recognition from the district.


Related: Minnesota Student Radios Help After School Bus Driver Suffer Medical Emergency
Related: Wisconsin Teen Grabs Wheel of School Bus After Driver Passes Out
Related: Massachusetts School Bus Driver Crashes into Trees Due to Medical Emergency
Related: Iowa Students Help School Bus Driver During Medical Episode

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Delaware School Bus Driver Teams with Nonprofit to Help Student with Accessibility

A George Read Middle School bus driver helped a student in New Castle, Delaware by teaming up with a nonprofit organization to provide the student with a wheelchair ramp from her home, reported ABC 6.

The veteran school bus driver, identified as Tim Kelleher, observed each morning that a student’s parents carried their daughter down the front steps of their home on Westbury Drive to reach the bus stop.

According to the news report, Kelleher began reaching out to organizations that could help. He connected with Good Neighbors Home Repair, a nonprofit organization, that built a wheelchair ramp at the student’s home.

Tom MacAuley of Good Neighbors Home Repair told local news reporters that Kelleher saw the need the student’s family had and wanted to facilitate that need.

The article states that this is not the first time Kelleher has gone the extra mile. He helped get a ramp installed for another student in 2019.


Related: Georgia School Bus Driver Named “Hidden Hero” After Saving Student’s Life
Related: North Carolina School Bus Driver Helps Locate Missing 14-Year-Old
Related: Transportation Professionals: A Critical Link in the Education of Students with Disabilities
Related: Fill-in School Bus Driver Builds Ramp for Disabled Girl

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Michigan School Bus Driver Stops Stranger Attempting to Board Bus

A school bus driver in Greenville, Michigan, stopped a stranger from entering a school bus through the rear emergency exit while several students were on board, reported Fox 17.

The incident reportedly occurred Thursday, when a Flat River Academy school bus was transporting students to school. A 17-year-old grabbed the rear emergency door handle while the bus was stopped at a light in an attempt to enter the vehicle.

According to the news report, when the bus started to move the teen was able to get the door open, setting off the emergency door alarm. That’s when the driver stopped the school bus and ran to the back to figure out what was happening.

The driver, who was not identified in this writing, confronted the teen as he was trying to climb into the bus and used his foot to bar entrance and then to close the door.

The Michigan State Police said troppers were already in pursuit of the teen prior to the incident and took him into custody at the scene. The teen is believed to have been involved in the vandalism of a nearby business.

The teen, who has autism, was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. The teen had left his home without his family’s knowledge. The students and staff on board the school bus were not injured during the incident and the driver was able to finish his route without further interruption.


Related: Man Boards School Bus, Refuses to Leave
Related: Man Armed with Machete Tries to Enter North Carolina School Bus
Related: New Mexico Parents Concerned After Armed Robbery Suspects Board School Bus
Related: Florida Man Boards School Bus with Teen He is Accused of Raping

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South Carolina Parent Runs School Bus Off Road After Alleged Child Assault

An irate South Carolina father is being accused of running a school bus with 19 student passengers off the road after authorities say his child was allegedly assaulted by a school bus monitor.

The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on May 23 confirming that two individuals had been charged in connection with a physical altercation involving a student on a school bus the day before.

According to the statement, allegations were brought forward from statements obtained by the Marlboro County School District officials from students on the bus, indicating that bus monitor Sharona Ford Cooper had physically assaulted a student after the student refused to remain seated in assigned seating.

Authorities added that Cooper was \charged with third-degree assault after utilizing her arm to restrain the student from moving down the school bus aisle, as depicted in the video from the school bus monitoring system obtained by law enforcement.

Police stated that shortly after the incident, Anthony Chavis, the father of the student, arrived at the school and became verbally abusive toward administrators and law enforcement staff, using profanity, racial slurs and physical intimidation.

Chavis’ children had been removed from the school bus and left on the school grounds. Once the school bus departed and continued its route to transport 19 other students home, Chavis followed the school bus in his vehicle with his five children as passengers and then forced the bus off the road. He exited his vehicle and struck the bus numerous times with his fist in an unsuccessful effort to gain entry, causing damage to the door.

According to authorities, as the school bus driver continued the route,circumventing Chavis’s car, the father threw an object at the back of the bus and damaged the window. The incident was captured on the school bus video.

Chief Deputy Larry Turner said Chavis was charged with interfering with operations of a school bus, child endangerment, threatening the life of a public official, aggravated breach of peace, malicious injury to government property, and disruption of a school. He was taken into custody and was denied bond, as he was already out on bond for an assault charge at the time of this arrest.

The investigation is ongoing.


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The post South Carolina Parent Runs School Bus Off Road After Alleged Child Assault appeared first on School Transportation News.

Ohio School Bus Driver Earns Top Honors at State Competition

A Solon City School bus driver proved he is among the best in the state, earning third place overall at the Ohio School Bus Driver Safety Rode-E-O, reported Cleaveland News.

David Pitrone, who joined the district’s transportation team in November 2022 and has been driving buses since 2016, is currently training to become an on-board instructor.

After earning third place at the Road-E-O competition and taking home the title of top conventional driver, Pitrone qualified for the International School Bus Safety Road-E-O for the second year in a row. The event, which brings together top drivers from across the U.S. and Canada and is sponsored by the National School Transportation Association, is set for June 28-29 at Hayes Independent School District in Austin, Texas.

The Ohio Road-E-O tests drivers on 14 different driving and maneuverability challenges and includes a written exams. Drivers who score 80 percent or higher can use their results toward state recertification.


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