Family Dog Escapes, Boards New York School Bus

By: Merari Acevedo

11 September 2026 at 22:53

A family dog turned the first day of school into an unexpected adventure after escaping from his home and boarding a school bus in Farmington, New York, reported Today News.

According to the news report, Ashley Miller had promised her daughter, Madelyn, a 10th grader, that she would remain inside while Madelyn and her brother, Parker, a seventh grader, boarded the bus at about 7 a.m.

Madelyn reportedly considered having her mother at the bus stop embarrassing. Miller’s husband, Jason, was upstairs secretly recording the children as they prepared to leave for school.

However, the family’s 1-year-old golden retriever, Finley, disrupted those plans.

Miller opened the front door as the school bus approached the family’s cul-de-sac, and the 83-pound family dog slipped between her legs. Finley ran directly toward the bus and climbed aboard, where he was greeted by students eager to pet him.

Miller, a pediatric emergency room nurse, chased Finley while barefoot and wearing pajamas. She followed him onto the bus and attempted to remove him from the aisle, according to her comments to local news reporters.

Because Finley was not wearing his collar, Miller grabbed a portion of his fur and carefully pulled him backward before escorting him down the bus steps.

The bus driver reportedly embraced the unexpected interruption. Miller described him as cheerful and said he had been greeting students through the bus’s exterior speaker. “Good morning, Finley,” the driver announced after the dog boarded.

Jason captured the entire incident on video without his wife’s knowledge. He was reportedly laughing when Miller returned to the house after directing Finley back into the yard.

Parker also found the situation funny, while Madelyn was horrified that her mother had boarded the bus in her pajamas.

“I think I lost five years of my life on the first day of school,” Miller said. “I’m still recovering.”

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Utah School Bus Driver Fired After Two Students Left on Bus

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

10 September 2026 at 22:50

A substitute school bus driver was fired after failing to drop off two students with special needs at school and leaving them alone on the bus at the Tooele County School District transportation yard located west of Salt Lake City, reported 2 KUTV News.

The incident occurred Aug. 24, when 7-year-old Winston Prawitt and another unidentified student remained on board the bus instead of being dropped off at Canyon Middle School, according to local news reports.

Transportation staff later located the bus at the district depot with both students inside. “The two boys were on that bus alone, parked in direct sunlight, for nearly 10 minutes,” Travis Prawitt, Winston’s father, said via the article.

Video footage reportedly showed Winston pounding on the bus windows. Winston has level two autism and was nonverbal until nearly age 5. His parents said his disability makes it difficult for him to provide a detailed account of what happened.

The district said via the news report that the substitute driver failed to follow required procedures for ensuring all students had exited the vehicle, before returning it to the bus garage. The driver, who reportedly had several years of school bus driving experience, was terminated.

According to the news report, district transportation staff have since reviewed bus-clearing procedures with all drivers. The assistant superintendent and transportation director also presented potential child-check enhancements to the Tooele County Board of Education Sept. 8.

The Prawitts said they were permitted to view only part of the bus surveillance footage and that it did not include audio. District officials said access must comply with student privacy laws because multiple students appear in the recording. The family said it would accept redacted footage but wants the complete record involving Winston.

Since the incident, Winston has reportedly experienced nightmares and anxiety and now checks whether his regular driver is operating the bus.

His parents are calling for a proposed “Winston’s Law” that would require enhanced child-check safeguards on Utah school buses. One possible system would require drivers to walk to the back of the bus and press a button after completing each route.

“Human error does happen in any profession,” Alaina Prawitt, Winston’s mother, told local news reporters. “Anything we can do to try and help human error not be a problem, such as putting an alarm on the bus or something to help check that things are getting done accurately, is what I would love to see. I just want this to never happen to another child.”

Written with the Assistance of AI.

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South Dakota Highway Patrol Launches School Bus Safety Outreach Week

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

9 September 2026 at 21:29

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is conducting a three-day School Bus Safety Outreach event to increase public awareness and reinforce safe driving practices around school buses statewide, reported KXGL News.

The initiative running Sept. 8-10 includes partnerships between state troopers and local school districts. Troopers are observing school bus routes and loading zones while monitoring whether motorists comply with South Dakota’s school bus stopping laws.

According to the news report, marked patrol vehicles are visible near school bus stops, loading areas and high-traffic routes where students board and exit buses. The increased presence is intended to remind drivers about their responsibilities, discourage dangerous behavior and help protect children traveling to and from school.

“School bus safety is a shared responsibility,” Highway Patrol Capt. Jon Stahl said via the article. “Our presence during these three days is meant to educate drivers, support school districts and reinforce that stopping for school buses isn’t optional, it’s essential for protecting children.”

As part of the outreach, troopers are following select school buses along their regular routes to observe how nearby motorists respond. They will also position marked patrol vehicles near loading zones to increase law enforcement visibility.

Additionally, troopers are conducting targeted safety operations to identify violations and encourage motorists to comply with school bus safety laws. The South Dakota Highway Patrol will provide safety reminders and information to community members and news media throughout the initiative.

Motorists should remain alert when approaching school buses and anticipate frequent stops, particularly during morning and afternoon travel times. Drivers should slow down around buses and watch carefully for students who may be walking near the roadway or crossing the street.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol also reminded motorists that they must stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights. Drivers should remain stopped until the lights are deactivated, and it is safe to continue traveling.

Officials said seemingly small actions behind the wheel, including reducing speed, avoiding distractions and stopping as required, can prevent potentially tragic incidents.

The outreach reflects the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s effort to work alongside school districts and communities to promote safer travel for students across the state at the beginning of the school year.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Transportation Company Cancels Bus Service for Charlotte Charter School

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

4 September 2026 at 20:42

Families of students attending Unity Classical Charter School were told to make alternative transportation arrangements after the school’s bus provider abruptly ended its services, reported Queen City News.

According to the news report, Infiniti Transportation notified the southwest Charlotte charter school that it would terminate service effective Tuesday, Sept. 1, according to a message Headmaster Sharon Dougherty sent to families Sunday evening. The company’s final day operating morning and afternoon routes was Monday, Aug. 31.

Unity Classical Charter School serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students returned for the new school year, Aug. 26. Before Infiniti Transportation ended the agreement, school officials had reportedly received multiple complaints from parents about significant delays, routing problems, an inoperable bus-tracking system and driver performance, according to the message.

School leaders reportedly said they contacted the company to address the reported problems and requested information regarding its qualifications and certifications. The school also sought documentation related to driver screening and training.

“Unfortunately, rather than work with Unity to address these concerns and provide the requested information, Infiniti informed Unity that it is terminating its transportation services to the school,” Dougherty wrote via the article.

Until the school secures another provider, families whose children normally ride the bus must drive them to campus and use the regular carpool lane. Dougherty acknowledged that the sudden cancellation gave families little time to arrange transportation, particularly those who depend on the bus service.

“We are deeply sorry for the disruption this will cause our families and understand the significant burden that this unexpected change places on you,” she wrote via the news report.

The school reportedly said it would be flexible regarding students who arrive late because of the cancellation. Families were asked to notify the school if their children’s arrival would be delayed while they established new transportation arrangements.

School leaders said they are working to identify another transportation provider. The school did not provide a timeline for when bus service could resume.

Infiniti Transportation had not publicly commented on the cancellation or the concerns cited by the school as of Tuesday.

Written with the Assistance of AI.

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‘Meet the Bus’ Event Teaches Young Riders School Bus Safet

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

4 September 2026 at 19:14

About two dozen prospective kindergarten students and their families in Alberta learned how to ride the school bus safely during Pembina Hills School Division’s annual Meet the Bus event, reported Town and County Today News.

According to the news report, the orientation was held Aug. 18 in the student parking lot at Barrhead Composite High School. It was designed to familiarize first-time riders with the school bus and ease any nervousness they might experience before the school year begins.

Transportation assistant Cindy Knapp reportedly said the longtime event gives children an opportunity to become comfortable with the bus in a welcoming environment.

During the event, students and their parents reportedly learned how to wait for and board a school bus safely, as well as how students are expected to behave while riding.

Jeanette Williams, who has driven the Fort Assiniboine school bus for more than 30 years, told attendees that children should remain where the driver can see them. She warned students not to stand too close to the bus or enter one of the vehicle’s blind spots.

“When you get onto the bus, you want to use the handrails and sit down in a seat as soon as you can,” Williams said via the article. “Never stand up and walk around. That’s not safe.”

Williams also addressed why the school bus was not equipped with seatbelts. She explained that its closely spaced, high-backed seats are designed to protect riders through compartmentalization. “The seats are designed and constructed in such a way that they are even safer than if they had seat belts, which is why you need to keep your arms and legs inside the seat,” Williams said via the report.

Editor’s Note — While compartmentalization of students using federally regulated high-back and cushioned seats works in front and rear crashes, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board investigations show a lack of protection in side-impact and roll-over crashes.

Parents were reportedly instructed to ensure their children arrive at their assigned bus stops at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Williams said routes are planned to allow approximately 30 seconds for each student to board, making punctuality important.

The event concluded with students and their families taking a short bus ride around Barrhead. They then returned to the high school, where snacks were provided.

The ride gave future students an opportunity to practice what they had learned while becoming acquainted with an experience that will soon be part of their daily school routine.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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School Bus Students Surprise Arizona 2-Year-Old with Birthday Serenade

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

2 September 2026 at 23:25

A 2-year-old boy’s birthday celebration got off to a memorable start when a school bus full of students surprised him with waves and a birthday serenade, reported People News.

According to the news report, the boy was standing outside his Phoenix home with his parents Aug. 28 when the unexpected celebration took place. He held colorful balloons, including a large silver balloon shaped in the number 2, as a yellow school bus approached.

In a video recorded by the family, the boy’s mother, Logan Seeger, asked him whether he was going to wave at the passing bus. “Yes,” the boy replied before excitedly waving and repeatedly calling out, “Hi,” as the bus traveled past the family’s home.

The students reportedly responded by leaning toward the open bus windows and waving to the birthday boy. Moments later, the group began singing “Happy Birthday” to him while the bus continued down the street. “Thank you,” Seeger called back to the students.

Seeger told local news reporters that the bus driver has regularly interacted with the students and helped create a positive atmosphere along the route. “The bus driver has been so wonderful and engaging with all the students,” Seeger said.

The birthday greeting was not the only recognition the family received that morning. Seeger said neighbors stopped by, while passing motorists rolled down their windows to greet the toddler and acknowledge his birthday.

Seeger said the kindness shown by the students, driver and community made the morning especially meaningful for the family. “It is so wholesome,” she said via the news report. “It brings tears to our eyes and full body chills!”

Written with the assistance of AI.

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New Mexico Stuff the Bus Event Collects School Supplies for Students

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

1 September 2026 at 20:03

The city of Albuquerque called on community members to help fill a city bus with school supplies for students at Albuquerque Public Schools during its annual Stuff the Bus donation drive, reported KOAT News.

The event, held in partnership with the UNM Foundation, was held last weekend. Organizers asked residents to donate school supplies, including heavy-duty backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other classroom essentials. Clear backpacks and locks for student lockers are among the items most needed this year.

Last year, more than 100 vehicles reportedly stopped by the event to contribute supplies, helping organizers fill a Sun Van with donations. This year, ABQ Ride has set a larger goal: filling a full-size city bus.

“We want to fill up this 40-foot bus from front to back, from floor to ceiling,” Madeline Skrak, public information officer for ABQ Ride, said via the article. “We’ll try to do our best to accomplish that this year. It’ll be hopefully more donations than our Sun Van that we filled up last year.”

Organizers reportedly said providing students with the supplies they need can help remove barriers as they begin the school year and allow them to focus on learning.

“If you don’t have the right supplies, you might not feel confident or excited about going to school or worrying that you might not have the right tools to be successful,” Megan Lindstrom, executive project officer at the UNM Foundation, said via the article.

Lindstrom said donation drives such as Stuff the Bus are intended to help eliminate those concerns and ensure students feel prepared and confident at school.

As an incentive and thank-you for participating, donors will receive one movie pass from Flix Brewhouse and two golf passes from Hinkle Fun Center. All supplies collected during the three-hour event will benefit students attending Albuquerque Public Schools.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Michigan Police Department Hosts ‘Stuff-A-Bus’ Drive for Students

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

28 August 2026 at 21:16

The Warren Police Department partnered with Fitzgerald Public Schools to collect classroom essentials for students during a “Stuff-A-Bus” school supply drive, reported C & G News.

The donations supported the second annual “Operation Back 2 School” event, which provides backpacks filled with supplies to students in preschool through 12th grade who may otherwise struggle to obtain the materials they need.

Community members reportedly donated backpacks, notebooks, crayons, pens, pencils, glue sticks and other supplies. Warren police officer Bryce Moon, the department’s community policing officer, said the initiative holds personal meaning for him.

“I know what it was like to struggle with (going) back to school, coming up myself,” Moon said via the article. “I’m in a position to help now, so I love to do it.”

Approximately 600 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to students last year. Organizers hoped to increase that number to about 1,000 backpacks this year, Moon told local news reporters

Fitzgerald Public Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Jensen said via the article that providing essential resources can help students begin the academic year with confidence and focus on learning. “If we can provide them safety and resources, then they know that they can come to school feeling confident and ready to start the first day and be the best learner they can be,” Jensen said.

Moon said the drive also demonstrates the value of cooperation between law enforcement and the community. “It just shows us the strong community ties,” he reportedly said. “It’s great when the community and police can come together and give back to the youth.”

Warren Mayor Lori Stone reportedly described the initiative as “community policing at its best,” adding that it strengthens relationships, builds trust and shows young people that the community supports their success.

Organizers continued accepting donations after the Stuff-A-Bus event. Supplies could be delivered to Fitzgerald High School or the district administration building at 23200 Ryan Road, Warren City Hall or the Warren Police Department.

Backpacks were scheduled to be distributed Aug. 23 at Fitzgerald High School. The family event was also set to feature demonstrations from the Warren police and fire departments, bounce houses and other activities.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Virginia Kindergartener Dropped at Wrong Location Following Transportation Mix-Up

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

28 August 2026 at 21:11

A Roanoke City Public Schools kindergartener was mistakenly placed on a school bus and dropped off at an apartment complex, prompting his parents to search for him for about two hours, reported WSLS News.

Terry Mills and Daniel Howard arrived Thursday at Round Hill Elementary School expecting to pick up their 5-year-old son, D’Terrion. His parents said he was a regular car rider and did not have a bus pass.

When D’Terrion was not at the designated pickup area, school staff checked buses and reviewed surveillance footage as the family tried to determine his location.

“I’m just still frantic,” Mills said. “At this point, I just, I want to know where my son is.”

According to the school division, D’Terrion mistakenly boarded a bus on his second day of attendance. The bus’ only stop was Westwind Apartments.

After the bus dropped him off, another student accompanied D’Terrion to the apartment complex’s leasing office. An assistant manager recognized that the child was at the wrong location and contacted the school.

The district said approximately 17 minutes elapsed between D’Terrion exiting the bus and the leasing office notifying school officials. His parents said the overall ordeal lasted about two hours from the time they initially began searching until they were reunited with him.

Mills said the family was relieved D’Terrion avoided walking into the street, entering a stranger’s home or getting into an unfamiliar vehicle.

Roanoke City Public Schools said it immediately notified D’Terrion’s parents after receiving the call. The family subsequently met with a school division leader to discuss the incident.

The district said it investigated the situation and is taking appropriate personnel actions. It is also working with its transportation provider, Zum, to reinforce bus and car-rider procedures among students, staff members and drivers.

District officials thanked Westwind Apartments management for helping keep the student safe.

Howard said the family shared its experience to emphasize the importance of closely monitoring young students. The parents are now working with the district to transfer D’Terrion to another school. Officials declined to provide additional information about that request, citing student privacy laws.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Kentucky Motorist Arrested After Illegal Passing School Bus, Hitting Child

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

25 August 2026 at 18:57

A 39-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly driving past a stopped school bus and hitting an elementary school student who was crossing the road to board the bus, reported WKYT News.

The collision reportedly occurred Aug. 20 at approximately 7:08 a.m. A school bus was stopped with its federally mandated stop arm extended and red lights flashing, when police said a vehicle driven by Ashley Parsons, 39, passed the bus and struck the child, who was not identified at this writing. Parsons did not stop at the scene.

The student was transported to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Scott County Schools, which began the new school year Aug. 12, identified the child as a student at Southern Elementary School.

Capt. Lewis Crump of the Georgetown Police said investigators used an image captured by a camera inside the school bus and tips from community members to identify and arrest Parsons within hours of the incident.

Parsons faces charges of aggravated driving under the influence, first-degree assault, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving and passing a loading school bus.

“A school bus stop should never be a dangerous place for a child,” Crump said. “It’s extremely important that we pay attention to these school buses; they’re painted yellow for a reason, they have flashing lights on them for a reason.”

Scott County School leaders said staff members contacted the parents of students who were on the bus when the collision occurred. Students and classmates also made get-well cards for the injured child, which the school principal planned to deliver.

“We are thankful for the quick response and ongoing partnership with our local emergency service providers and the Georgetown Police Department,” the district said via the news report.

The incident occurred as Kentucky implements House Bill 7, a new school bus safety law that expanded stopping requirements for motorists and allows school districts to install stop-arm video cameras to document violations.

State Rep. David Hale, the bill’s primary sponsor, said the measure is intended to help identify drivers who break school bus stopping laws and place students at risk. Crump urged motorists to remain alert around school buses and allow children enough time to safely enter or leave the roadway.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Mother Granted Bond After Child Brings Loaded Gun on School Bus

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

24 August 2026 at 20:12

A South Carolina mother was granted a $25,000 bond after authorities said her 6-year-old child brought a loaded gun onto a school bus, reported WIS 10.

Destar Hall, 35, was arrested Aug. 18 and charged with unlawful conduct toward a child. She was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and is expected to return to court in October.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department said a school resource officer at J.P. Thomas Elementary School was called after the child was found with a loaded AR-style firearm during the morning route. Officials safely took the weapon from the child and called Hall to the school.

Investigators reportedly said the gun had not been properly secured at the family’s home, allowing the child to gain access to it. Hall’s husband, Tony Hall, offered a different account during last week’s bond hearing. He said the couple’s children found the gun in the woods near their home and showed it to their parents. He said he told his wife to dispose of it but did not know what she did with it.

The 6-year-old later obtained the firearm and carried it onto the bus, according to the report.

“I felt like I could police it myself, and that was the problem, and that’s the step we should have took.” Tony Hall said via the article, adding that he should have contacted law enforcement when the children found the gun. “We looked at it as a toy. It looked like a toy for real.”

He reportedly described the incident as a serious mistake and expressed relief that no one was hurt. “I’m just glad that things didn’t happen in a matter where things could have gotten out of hand, or somebody could have really gotten hurt,” he added.

Information presented at the hearing showed that the couple’s four children had reportedly been placed in emergency custody with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

Richland One School District Board Chairman Robert Lominack and Superintendent Todd Walker also addressed the incident during a district work session, though details of their remarks were not included in the report.

Written with the aAssistance of AI.

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Parents Question ‘No Parking’ Signs at Florida School Bus Stop

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

24 August 2026 at 16:56

Opponents of signs placed near a school bus stop at Champion Avenue in Florida say they could leave children in unsafe positions as they wait for school buses, reported Gulf Coast News.

JoeAnn Alaniz, a Lehigh Acres resident whose five children ride the school bus, said the signs appeared after the first week of school, which began Aug. 11. Similar signs also appeared in a nearby San Carlos Park neighborhood.

Alaniz said she had a bench made for children at the stop because she was concerned about their safety, particularly after the death of a girl in a previous crash.

The bench follows earlier community efforts to create safer waiting areas for Lee County Public Schools students. School Transportation News reported in 2019 that residents formed Benches for our Babes after 12-year-old Alana Tamplin and 8-year-old Layla Aiken were killed in separate traffic incidents involving travel to or waiting at school bus stops.

Volunteers and local businesses assembled benches and picnic tables for stops across Lee County. Some were equipped with reflective tape, locks, and chains. Lee County school officials said at the time that benches could be part of the solution, but that student safety also requires adult supervision, lighting, sidewalks and attentive motorists.

“You can replace grass, but you can’t replace kids,” Alaniz said, criticizing what she said is a greater concern for landscaping than for children.

She also described drivers speeding around stopped school buses or trying to go faster than the bus, so they don’t have to stop. This behavior, she said, puts children walking to the stop at risk. Lee County officials said via the report that residents generally may not place signs within county-maintained rights of way along county roads.

The resident who installed the signs reportedly told deputies and local news reporters that they were intended to keep parents from parking on the easement. She said parked vehicles leave students without enough room to wait and sometimes force them to stand in the roadway as the bus approaches.

Deputies suggested removing the trespassing signs, and the resident complied, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Lee County Public Schools urged parents to obey the law and treat others respectfully when picking up or dropping off children at bus stops. “We expect and encourage parents to follow the law when picking up or dropping their children off at the bus stop,” the district said via the news report. “We also expect and encourage them to be respectful. If that is not happening, then law enforcement should be notified.”

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Police Officers Watching for Illegal Passers to Ride Middle Tennessee School Buses

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

21 August 2026 at 21:07

Police officers will ride on some school buses in a Middle Tennessee school district as part of a new effort to identify motorists who violate traffic laws near buses and put students at risk, reported WSMC News.

According to the news report, the Nolensville Police Department announced the initiative in collaboration with Williamson County Schools and the district’s transportation department. Officers will accompany students on selected bus routes and watch traffic around the vehicles during daily trips.

Police said the officers’ role will focus exclusively on unsafe driving outside the buses. They will not become involved in student behavior, school discipline, or other activities taking place aboard the vehicles.

“Our only purpose is to identify unsafe driving around school buses and help ensure that every student arrives at school and returns home safely,” Police Chief Dale Armour said via the news report.

Armour reminded drivers that they are required to stop when a school bus activates its flashing warning lights and extends its stop arm. Motorists must remain stopped while the signals are active. “A few moments of patience can prevent a tragedy,” Armour said.

The initiative is intended to give officers a direct view of motorists’ actions from inside school buses. By riding along with students, police will be positioned to observe traffic violations that occur as buses stop to pick up or unload children.

Police have reportedly not announced when the program will officially begin. The department also did not provide additional details about which routes will be selected, how frequently officers will ride, or how long it will continue.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Connecticut Fire Department Hosts ‘Stuff A Bus’ School Supply Drive

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

21 August 2026 at 21:04

The East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department in Connecticut invited residents to help fill a school bus with classroom supplies for Norwich Public Schools students ahead of the new academic year, reported AOL News.

According to the news report, the department’s “Stuff a Bus” collection drive took place Aug. 15 at the lcoal Walmart.

Organizers reportedly asked community members to donate new, unused school supplies. Volunteers collected the items throughout the day and loaded them into a school bus stationed at the store. All donated materials will be distributed directly to students at Norwich Public Schools and will remain within the local district. Donations of any size were welcome, organizers said.

“Every student deserves to begin the school year with the supplies they need to feel prepared and confident,” East Great Plain Fire Chief Richard Huntley said via the article. “Events like Stuff a Bus give our entire community an opportunity to support Norwich children and help set up our community’s learners for success in the coming school year.”

The event featured activities intended for students and their families. Attendees took part in back-to-school activities and Walmart giveaways during the collection drive. Families also had an opportunity to receive a free 4-by-6-inch back-to-school photograph.

Residents who were unable to attend the event may bring donations directly to the East Great Plain Volunteer Fire Department at 488 New London Turnpike in Norwich. The department is accepting new and unused supplies for students who need classroom materials when school begins.

The drive is designed to give residents a convenient way to assist local students while helping families prepare for the start of classes.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Florida School Bus Catches Fire After Crash

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

21 August 2026 at 20:57

A Hardee County school bus in Florida carrying five students caught fire after a crash. The driver evacuated everyone before flames consumed much of the vehicle, reported WFLA News.

According to the news report, the bus was transporting secondary school students home after their first week of the new school year on Aug. 14, when the incident occurred in Wauchula.

School officials said the school bus was involved in a crash before the fire began. They did not provide details about how the crash occurred, whether another vehicle was involved, or what caused the bus to ignite.

The school bus driver reportedly moved quickly to evacuate all five students as conditions became dangerous. No students were injured, and officials reported no injuries to the driver.

Emergency crews responded as flames spread across the bus. Images from the scene obtained by local news reporters showed much of the vehicle engulfed in fire as thick, dark smoke rose above the roadway. The fire caused extensive damage to the bus.

District administrators and transportation personnel arrived on scene and worked with emergency crews following the incident. Authorities had not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the initial crash or the origin of the fire. No arrests or criminal charges were reported, and officials had not indicated that criminal activity played a role.

The quick actions from the driver kept the crash and subsequent fire from injuring any of the students aboard.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Tuscaloosa City Schools Ask for Patience as New Bus Drivers Learn Routes

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

18 August 2026 at 22:24

Tuscaloosa City Schools transportation officials in Alabama are asking families for patience as new school bus drivers learn their routes and stop locations during the opening days of the school year, reported WBRC 6 News.

According to the news report, about 13 percent of the district’s 108 regular drivers are in their first year. The total does not include substitute drivers. Together, the drivers are expected to cover more than 130,000 miles across Tuscaloosa before the school year ends.

Transportation Director Tiny McCool said that the first day went well overall, although drivers encountered some problems as stops were added, and rookies became familiar with their routes. “As we’re adding stops, they weren’t quite aware of it yet,” McCool said via the article. “We have a tablet, but even with navigation you can still miss a road.”

No child was left behind on the first day, McCool added.

The transportation department reportedly prepared for opening day with an outreach effort it had not attempted in previous years. Staff members worked weekends and stayed late to contact every parent in the school system before classes began, McCool said.

“We called every parent in the school system to make sure their student knew the bus route, wanted a bus route, anything we could do, new addresses,” McCool told local news reporters.

Driver Phillip Farley said via the article that he felt confident in his routes after completing the second day of service. Farley, who has driven for three years, transports about 40 students daily and travels roughly 30 miles.

Farley said heavy first-day traffic created delays as more parents drove their children to school. Congestion near some campuses can put buses about 20 minutes behind schedule, he said.

“Of course, there are always things on the first day,” Farley said via the article. “When you’re going to some of the schools there’s a lot of traffic, and a lot of parents like to drive their kids on the first day.”

He advised students to arrive at their stops 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Man Charged with Stealing School Bus in Kansas

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

18 August 2026 at 09:00

A 50-year-old Missouri man was charged with stealing a Liberty Public Schools (Kansas) bus after authorities said he broke into a district building, drove the vehicle to Independence and abandoned it as police closed in, reported KSHB News.

According to the news report, Clay County prosecutors charged Randolph L. Schmidt of St. James with second-degree burglary and stealing a motor vehicle. A judge set his bond at $75,000.

The theft reportedly began shortly after 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the district’s Support Services Building. Schmidt entered the building and took a school bus. Members of the district’s safety team worked with Liberty police to review surveillance video from the building. Authorities then used the bus’s onboard GPS system to follow its movement.

The district said via the article that the bus was recovered within an hour of the break-in after a coordinated tracking by school safety officials and police.

About 50 minutes after the break-in was reported, Independence police received a call about a school bus being driven recklessly. The caller reported seeing the bus heading south at about 7:50 p.m. Officers reportedly located the bus near Hidden Valley Road in Independence. The vehicle had been abandoned by the time the police arrived.

Police searched the surrounding area and reportedly found Schmidt nearby. Officers took him into custody. Authorities did not provide details about its route, whether the bus was damaged or whether anyone was aboard when it was stolen. No injuries were reported. Officials also did not say how Schmidt gained entry. No initial court date was announced.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Dump Truck Strikes Arkansas School Bus on First Day of School

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

17 August 2026 at 22:03

A dump truck loaded with gravel struck a Jonesboro Public Schools Arkansas bus carrying 10 children, resulting in no injuries, reported K8 News.

The collision reportedly occurred at about 7:45 a.m. Aug. 12 near the intersection of East Johnson Avenue. It came as students were beginning the first day of school in northeastern Arkansas.

According to the news report, the dump truck was traveling north when it clipped the left rear side of the school bus. The truck continued away from the scene after the collision.

The dump truck driver reportedly returned about an hour later and spoke with a police officer. Police did not identify the driver in information released about the crash.

Sally Smith, a public information officer for the Jonesboro Police Department, said none of the 10 students on aboard the bus or the bus driver had any reported injuries.

The crash briefly disrupted what otherwise marked the opening morning of the school year for the students on board. The bus was near a busy Jonesboro intersection when its left rear side was hit. Authorities did not release additional information about the children, including their ages or the schools they attend.

Police also did not immediately provide details about possible damage to the bus or dump truck. The department’s account did not say why the dump truck initially continued from the scene or what the driver told the officer after returning.

Written with the assistance of AI

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6 Students Taken to Hospital After Georgia School Bus Partially Overturns

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

17 August 2026 at 19:03

Six students were taken to a hospital as a precaution after a Barrow County School System school bus carrying 34 students partially overturned Wednesday morning, reported 11 Alive News.

The crash reportedly occurred on Georgia Highway 211 near Raymond Drive. Emergency crews and school system personnel responded to the scene after the bus overturned.

According to the news report, there were 34 students and a driver aboard the bus at the time of the crash. The six students, who were evaluated at the hospital, were transported there aboard another bus. Officials described the hospital visits as a precaution but did not disclose whether the students had reported pain or other symptoms.

The students who were not taken to the hospital reportedly left the crash site with their parents or were transported to school via another school bus. Officials did not identify the students’ ages or grade levels.

A photograph submitted to local news reporters showed the school bus partially overturned. The district did not immediately say how long the bus remained at the scene or whether the crash disrupted traffic.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known. School officials said via the article that the incident remained under review and that only limited information could be released while the investigation continued.

The school system thanked first responders for what it described as their “quick and caring actions” following the crash. No further details were immediately available.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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United Way Drive Collects Over $20K in Supplies for Florida Panhandle Students

School Transportation News

By: Merari Acevedo

17 August 2026 at 17:45

A United Way school supply drive filled six buses and collected more than $20,000 in monetary donations to help students across five Florida Panhandle counties return to class, reported WJHG 7.

According to the news report, the United Way of Northwest Florida held its annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign as families prepared for the first day of school and faced higher costs for classroom essentials. Donors contributed folders, notebooks, snacks, glue, crayons and other supplies for students in Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington counties.

Organizers reportedly said that the response packed buses with donations from the seats to the floor. The campaign also received more than $20,000 in cash contributions, including $15,000 from Buffalo Rock Co. School districts will use the money to buy supplies that were not donated and replenish items as needed.

Among the donors was Waundra Bittle, a mother of three whose children attend college, eighth grade and virtual school. She filled a shopping cart after seeing a collection bus outside Walmart.

“When we were homeless, when we were broke, when we had no food, we had people that helped us as blessings, as angels, just perfect strangers,” Bittle told local news reporters. “They helped me make sure my kids had academic success.”

United Way board member Annette Cederholm said support came from across the community. “We’ve had retired educators that know the importance of school supplies,” Cederholm said. “Even though they are not working anymore and don’t even have a connection to a school system, they are donating.”

Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen called the communitywide effort inspirational. “The whole community helping to ensure that every student has what they need is just absolutely inspirational,” McQueen said via the article.

Bittle said her family’s past hardships motivate her to help other families, even when she faces difficulties of her own. “Life is not about being selfish,” she said. “I love the babies, and I just want them to be successful.”

Written with the assistance of AI.

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