An 11-year-old Connecticut student died Wednesday morning after his bicycle collided with a school bus in North Stonington.

Police identified the student as Torren O’Grady of North Stonington. The Sept. 2 collision occurred near the intersection of Old Colony and Pinecrest roads shortly before the start of the school day. The crash occurred less than a mile from North Stonington Elementary School.

According to a preliminary crash report released by Connecticut State Police, a Blue Bird school bus was traveling east on Old Colony Road at approximately 8:27 a.m. O’Grady was riding a mountain bike east behind the bus as both approached Pinecrest Road.

Old Colony Road traffic entering Pinecrest Road is controlled by a stop sign, the summary states. Police said the school bus made a left turn and entered the northbound lane of Pinecrest Road as O’Grady also entered the intersection.

O’Grady’s bicycle collided with the left front wheel and tire of the school bus, according to investigators. A “run-over event” subsequently occurred, and O’Grady sustained fatal injuries, police stated.

The preliminary summary identifies the bus driver as a 76-year-old Stonington resident. State police had not announced any charges or citations as of Friday.

The investigation remains active. Police asked anyone who witnessed the collision or has information related to it to contact Connecticut State Police Troop E in Montville at 860-848-6500.

O’Grady was a member of the Stonington Bears Youth Lacrosse and wore No. 49. The organization described him as a teammate, friend and member of a family extending far beyond the playing field.

The youth lacrosse organization asked area families, community members and local sports leagues to place lacrosse sticks outside their homes and leave their porch lights on in O’Grady’s memory.

“Let every porch light shine for Torren,” the organization stated. “Let every lacrosse stick remind his family that they are surrounded by a community standing beside them in love and support.”

The organization encouraged neighboring towns to participate in the tribute, writing, “From one field, one team and one collective community, we remember #49.”

Gov. Ned Lamont expressed condolences to O’Grady’s family, friends, classmates, teachers, and the North Stonington community. He said Connecticut State Police and the state Department of Education were prepared to support the schools and students affected by the death.

Lamont also urged drivers throughout Connecticut to exercise additional caution around school buses, school zones, bicyclists and children traveling to and from school.

“Slow down and help keep our students safe as they start this new school year,” Lamont stated.

State Rep. Greg Howard, whose district includes North Stonington, said he had communicated with local emergency services, law enforcement and the Connecticut Department of Education following the collision.

Howard said state resources were being made available to help North Stonington cope with the loss. He also thanked the first responders, firefighters, medical personnel, school and town officials, and law enforcement officers who responded to the scene.

“I know our community is hurting right now; but I also recognize the way in which North Stonington knows how to pull together,” Howard stated. “Please keep this family in your thoughts and let us all hold our loved ones a little closer tonight.”

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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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Calaveras Unified School District officials in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills said a school bus driver followed district protocols during a disturbance last month that resulted in a parent allegedly breaking glass on the bus loading door and entering through a window.

Superintendent Kassie Meeks told School Transportation News that the bus had arrived at a scheduled Aug. 24 stop, when the driver took the opportunity to address students about their behavior. There had reportedly been yelling, screaming and other disruptive behavior while the bus was moving.

“Our goal is to ensure that students follow appropriate behavior expectations so the driver can safely operate the bus and maintain the safety of everyone on board,” Meeks said.

Meeks shared that district officials reviewed bus video footage and determined the driver spent approximately four minutes addressing student behavior, reviewing bus expectations and asking students to calm down. During that time, one student exited through a bus window.

Shortly afterward, a parent arrived on the scene and began aggressively banging on the bus loading door, ultimately breaking the glass. Law enforcement was immediately contacted, and the California Highway Patrol was notified because damage to a school bus with students aboard triggers specific state safety protocols, she added.

The parent then climbed through an open bus window while authorities were responding, according to Meeks. An adult outside the bus could also reportedly be heard encouraging students to exit through the windows, and additional students subsequently did so.

Meeks said law enforcement arrived approximately 14 minutes after the bus reached the scheduled stop. Students remaining onboard were directed to stay seated and calm while authorities investigated.

STN contacted the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office for comment about the arrest and circumstances surrounding the incident but had not received a response as of this writing. But according to local news reports citing the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, the parent broke glass while striking the bus door and was arrested on suspicion of vandalism.

Neither the driver nor any students were injured, Meeks confirmed.

The district also disputed claims that students had been held on the bus for more than an hour before the situation escalated.

“Regarding the driver, after reviewing the video footage, the district believes the driver acted appropriately under extremely challenging circumstances,” Meeks said. “His focus remained on student safety, maintaining order and attempting to de-escalate the situation.”

Meeks told STN the driver has returned to the regular route. The bus sustained damage to the glass in its door and underwent repairs.

The district determined the driver followed appropriate protocols and has not identified a need to change its transportation procedures because of the incident, Meeks said. However, she said officials will continue reviewing practices and reinforcing safety expectations with employees and students.

Calaveras County is known for its Giant Sequoias, Mark Twain’s story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and as a key area of mining during the state’s Gold Rush of the mid-1880’s.

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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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A sixth-grade student from Prosper, Texas was named the overall national winner of the 2026 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest for artwork illustrating this year’s theme, “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes.”

The National Association for Pupil Transportation announced that Sai Darshana Yekolu, a student at Moseley Middle School, received the contest’s highest honor after her entry advanced through state-level competition. Her artwork will be featured during National School Bus Safety Week, scheduled for Oct. 19-23.

Judges representing NAPT, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, and the National School Transportation Association evaluated the national entries. Posters were judged on their safety impact, originality, artistic quality, and visual effectiveness. The theme was, “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes.”

Darshana-Yekolu also won first place in Division 3, which includes students in grades six through eight. Aashna Tandon of Harris Road Middle School in Concord, North Carolina, placed second. Kathleen Ashcraft of Shady Spring Middle School in Shady Spring, West Virginia, placed third.

Other first-place recipients were Alston Lai of Anne Sullivan Elementary School in Sugar Land, Texas, in the kindergarten-through-second-grade division; Maria Montero of JM Hill Elementary in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, in the grades three-through-five division; Jamal Moore of Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, in the special education division; and Olivia Brown of Burlington County Institute of Technology Westampton in Westampton, New Jersey, in the computer-aided drawing division.

Second- and third-place honorees represented schools in Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“Every one of these posters represents more than artistic talent. They represent students thinking about what school bus safety means to them and then sharing that message with the people around them,” said Molly McGee Hewitt, NAPT executive director and CEO.

Hewitt also thanked the teachers, transportation professionals, state associations, families, and communities that provide students with opportunities to participate.

Students enter the contest through local and state competitions, with qualifying artwork advancing to national judging. NAPT said the process brings school bus safety discussions into classrooms while allowing student-created messages to reach communities across the country. The winning entries are also intended to encourage safer practices around school buses.

NAPT is seeking to strengthen the connection between local, state and national participation through its newly formed Strategic Initiatives Committee. Dawnett Wright, transportation director at Peninsula School District in Washington and NAPT Region 5 director, chairs the committee.

“National initiatives are strongest when they are brought to life in our states and local communities,” Wright said, calling the poster contest an example of how a classroom project can become part of a national safety message.

Wright said the committee will work to create more opportunities for states to participate in the poster contest, Love the Bus Month in February and National School Bus Safety Week, observed during the third full week of October.

The annual safety week is a public education initiative involving students, parents, educators, motorists, school bus operators, administrators, and other partners. It promotes safe behavior on and around school buses.

NAPT plans to announce the theme and full guidelines for the 2027 contest following NAPT ACTS this fall. The drawing period is expected to begin in November, allowing students across North America time to participate despite differing school calendars.

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A Mount Vernon School District bus driver died after suffering a medical emergency at a student pickup location in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Dean Deinert, 66, died Aug. 26 after experiencing the medical emergency at the Davison County Fairgrounds, also known as the 4-H grounds. According to his obituary, Deinert died unexpectedly from a heart attack.

Davison County Sheriff Steve Harr told School Transportation News that a call came in at approximately 7:29 a.m. reporting that a bus driver was unconscious and not breathing well.

Mitchell Emergency Medical Services, the Mitchell Police Department and the Davison County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fairgrounds, which serves as a Mount Vernon School District pickup point for students from Mitchell.

An off-duty nurse performed lifesaving measures at the scene until paramedics arrived, Harr said. Deinert was transported by ambulance to Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, where he later died.

Harr added that there was nothing suspicious about the incident.

The school district initially informed families that morning of the incident. The district said all students were safe, and another driver was able to take over the bus and transport them to school.

Counselors were also made available at school for anyone who needed support.

Following Deinert’s death, the district sent age-specific resources home with students who rode the Mitchell bus. The materials provided guidance for families on discussing the medical emergency with children, recognizing possible emotional and behavioral reactions, and determining when additional support might be necessary.

The guides indicated that students witnessed the emergency and sought help from adults. They emphasized that the children acted appropriately by getting adults, who performed CPR.

The district later shared the resources on social media, saying they could also be helpful for students who did not ride the bus that evening.

School Transportation News reached out to the Mount Vernon School District for additional information but did not receive a response as of this writing.

Deinert had only recently started driving a school bus at the beginning of the school year, according to his obituary. A lifelong resident of Mount Vernon community, he graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1978.

He spent 38 years as an over-the-road truck driver before beginning work at the Mount Vernon Farmers Elevator in 2017. Deinert continued working there until his death and had planned to retire Nov. 1.

The obituary described Deinert as a familiar and well-known member of the Mount Vernon community who was devoted to his family, especially his seven grandchildren.

Deinert is survived by his wife, Donna; his children and stepchildren; his mother; six brothers; seven grandchildren; and other relatives.

The district announced that the Tom Young Community Center would be closed Aug. 29 and Aug. 30 for preparations and services honoring Deinert.

A celebration of his life was held Aug. 30 at the community center, with a private burial planned for a later date at Emsley Cemetery in Ethan, South Dakota.

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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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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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Introducing a new story series from author Gabrielle Marie Kelley, a school bus dispatcher for Irving Independent School District in Texas. The story advisor is Fredrick Tottenham, student safety specialist with Irving ISD. Follow the adventures of Calvin, an anxious but dutiful bus driver, and his sentient and safety-conscious school bus named Christina. The short story follows Calvin’s route adventures while highlighting very real circumstances that drivers face and underscoring the importance of student transportation safety. Find group discussion prompts at the end of each article. The series will resume on the second Tuesday of each month.

Hi. My name is Calvin, and I am a bus driver for Ervens Independent School District in Ervens, Texas. I’ve been driving for nine years, and by now, you’d think I’d have everything figured out. Well, you’d be wrong.

You see, my anxiety is a constant passenger, and without permission, it rides along whenever it wants. Things are always changing around here. Routes and rules disappear like ghosts and reappear in dierent forms, only to haunt me
until they become familiar.

I have a girlfriend named Sasha. Olive skin, beautiful ebony locs, and a smile that could stop a fleet. She always knows the right thing to say and her touch washes away the stress of any day. She is something, alright, but she is not the only special lady in my life.

There’s also Christina.

I know what you’re thinking. You named your bus? Yeah, I know it’s sort of odd. But I’m sort of an odd guy. Besides, if you spend enough early mornings sitting behind the wheel, hearing the low hum of the bus speak into the quiet and dark streets, you start to feel like your bus has a personality of its own.

Christina does.

And when it comes to student safety, her personality shines as bright as her yellow coat. She hears everything. And sometimes I swear she knows things before I do. Don’t believe me? Well, you’ll see for yourself, I’m sure.

Right now, I’m standing in front of the dispatch counter, waiting to grab my smart tablet. Beads of sweat forming on my forehead while I try to focus on the cinema that Benjamin Stevens, known as Ben to fellow drivers, is recounting. His flailing expressions reveal armpits that have also succumbed to the summer’s heat. I cross my arms as he gets to the end of his story and I think to myself, Christina would never allow such a thing.

“Cal! You should have seen it! My crossover mirror flew—”

“Mr. Stevens. In my office, please.” Mr. Pottenham, the safety specialist, calls with a stern expression.

With his arms frozen in gestures, Ben looks at Mr. Pottenham, smiling sheepishly. I wring my hands and say, “Well, I guess I’ll catch you later Ben!”

Would I see him later? The safety of our students was no laughing matter, and the look on the safety specialist’s face proved it.

But I have enough problems of my own, don’t I? My nerves are all over the place ever since Sasha stood in the doorway this morning and said, “We need to talk.”

Maybe she wants to talk about our prolonged engagement. Perhaps it’s the dishes I left in the sink last night. Maybe it’s something deeper. God, I hope she’s not pregnant.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Calvin, ready for your PM route?” Ms. Bineht, the dispatcher asks chipperly as she reaches for my smart tablet and keys.

I greet her and Ms. Debbie, the other dispatcher, and quickly make way for other drivers to do the same. I dash to the parking lot to escape the hustle and bustle of animated drivers and to keep my promise. Christina hates it when I’m late.

She is parked in her usual spot, facing me. I wave inconspicuously and a driver with her back to Christina thinks the greeting is meant for her. Christina’s left windshield wiper rises and then falls without a squeak before the driver turns.

I climb the steps of the bus to put away my backpack so that I can start the exterior inspection. Christina’s odometer beeps and flashes: 7 MIN.

“I know, I know. I’m on it, girl.”

I dismount the bus and inspect the front, the passenger’s side, and then I go around the back. I close the back door and just like a phantom, Ben appears and is so close he’s almost kissing my lips.

“Man, you’re not going to believe your ears!”

I swear, all the saliva in his mouth lands on my upper lip. I’m sure this counts as a French kiss. Second base, minimum.

“…And they wrote me up for that!”

Aggressively wiping my mouth, I reply, “A slap on the wrist for attempted murder?” His face says that, unlike his saliva, my joke didn’t land.

“Listen, I’m sorry Ben. I really am. But my route starts in less than seven minutes. Glad you’re still with us, buddy—And the students, too.”

I wink and pat his shoulder. He relaxes but his demeanor is screaming for a more sympathetic ear.

I perform the interior inspection and then I climb into the driver’s seat and turn the key.

Nothing.

“Come on, girl. What’s the deal?”

Again. Nothing.

The doors slowly swing open.

What is it?

I exit the bus with my back to Christina’s doors and the smart tablet in my hands. I look to my left. Nothing is out of place. I look to my right: Christina’s passenger side. I go around the back and as soon as I turn to the other side of the bus, it dawns on me: I forgot to perform the driver-side inspection. I must have accidentally tapped “Next” when Ben startled me. Thanks, Ben.

No. Thanks, Christina.

“Alright girl, let’s try this again.”

Her engine roars awake and the doors close.

As I exit the bus lot, the radio crackles with excitement and then Ms. Debbie’s voice comes through, loud and clear:

Base to all drivers! Base to all drivers! A 9-32 is in effect. Please avoid Culter Road and Pits. This area is blocked due to a 9-32 at the pharmacy on the corner. Please avoid this area.

My heart dropped into a bottomless pit in my stomach. What would an active shooter want with the local pharmacy?

Thankfully, for the students’ safety, my route is in the opposite direction, but my satisfaction quickly fades into a sickening sensation: The pharmacy on Culter and Pits—Sasha works there.

Ask Your Team:
What steps can you take to avoid distractions while performing pre-trip inspections?

Next Stop: Episode 2
Follow the Yellow Brick Line—Proper student loading and unloading

© 2026 Gabrielle Marie Kelley. Calvin & Christina: Where Safety Takes the Wheel and all associated characters, concepts, and illustrations are the intellectual property of Gabrielle Marie Kelley. Published by permission through School Transportation News.

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Wisconsin school bus contractor Lamers Bus Lines expects to provide normal student transportation when classes resume next week despite an EF-3 tornado that destroyed part of a terminal and damaged approximately 180 school buses last month.

The July 27 tornado directly struck the company’s terminal in Menasha around noon local time, Lamers spokesperson Erica Dakins told School Transportation News. The nearly mile-wide tornado traveled approximately 12 miles through Appleton, Menasha, Fox Crossing and Neenah before dissipating over Lake Winnebago.

Dakins added that of the 185 school buses assigned to the terminal, about 50 were totaled. Another 130 sustained damage, including broken windows, blown roof hatches, and damaged lights and mirrors. Four buses were away on trips and escaped damage.

Eighteen employees were at the terminal when the storm struck, including four mechanics, three cleaners and 11 office staff members. Office employees and mechanics sheltered in bathrooms, while cleaners took cover underneath a vehicle in the wash bay.

Some employees suffered minor injuries from broken glass after the building’s windows blew out, and one person sustained a sprained hand. No serious physical injuries were reported.

After the tornado passed, employees evacuated the building and sheltered inside a school bus because they feared the damaged structure could collapse.

1 of 8

Lamers Bus Lines Details Damage from Tornado

The terminal’s wash bay and maintenance shop both collapsed. The roof was torn from the building, causing part of the bricked second story to fall onto school buses parked several rows behind the facility.

Dakins said the building will be razed and replaced. Employees have temporarily moved to Lamers’ Freedom terminal and will eventually transition into a temporary office trailer at the Menasha property during demolition and reconstruction.

She said mechanics are working daily to return as many repairable buses to service as possible. Lamers also plans to draw spare vehicles from its approximately 40 school bus terminals while damaged buses are repaired or replaced.

The disruption placed preparations about one week behind schedule, but it did not significantly delay route planning. The Menasha Area School District provided its high school auditorium for Lamers to hold back-to-school driver meetings.

“We don’t anticipate anything preventing us from being ready for the first day of school,” Dakins said.

Buses based at the Menasha terminal serve the Appleton Area School District, Menasha Joint School District, Kimberly Area School District, School District of Hilbert and Stockbridge School District, along with area parochial schools. Dakins said Lamers expects to provide normal service when classes begin.

She added that one of the greatest challenges was that the tornado struck one of Lamers’ largest terminals with only five weeks remaining before school started.

The company thanked community members who offered support, as well as Keller, its longtime construction partner, for quickly helping develop plans for a temporary office and replacement facility.

Lamers also recognized drivers who volunteered in the days after the storm to operate school bus shuttles carrying United Way volunteers into tornado-damaged communities.

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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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The post Kentucky Motorist Arrested After Illegal Passing School Bus, Hitting Child appeared first on School Transportation News.

The National School Transportation Association (NSTA) is calling on all motorists to obey traffic laws and exercise caution around school buses as students return to classrooms nationwide.

The warning follows the release of new data highlighting the ongoing problem of illegal passing of stopped school buses. According to results presented by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services at the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting & Convention last month, 101,334 school bus drivers in 39 states and the District of Columbia (approximately 26 percent of the nation’s school bus drivers) voluntarily participated in a one-day count in the spring. They reported a total of 56,024 illegal passing motorists.

When projected nationally, the data suggests more than 213,800 illegal passings occur each school day, totaling over 38.4 million violations annually. This latest figure indicates a decrease from the 45.2 million violations estimated for the 2023–2024 school year. NASDPTS projected a total of 39.3 million violations for the 2024–2025 school year.

“School bus safety is a shared responsibility, and this data is a reminder that motorists play a critical role in protecting student,” said NSTA President Patrick Dean stated of the back-to-school reminder.

The school bus contractor association also continues its #KidsDeserveABrake social media campaign through September to raise awareness about the return of school buses to the roads. The association is advocating in Congress for H.R.2348 and S.2812, known as the Brake for Kids Act, which would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to conduct a nationwide public safety campaign about the dangers of illegal school bus passing.

“Every time a motorist illegally passes a stopped school bus, children’s safety is put at risk. As the school year begins, NSTA is calling on drivers, law enforcement and communities to treat these violations with the seriousness they deserve and to help ensure every student gets to and from school safely,” added NSTA Executive Director Curt Macysyn.

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The post Motorists Urged to Obey School Bus Stop Laws appeared first on School Transportation News.

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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The post Mother Granted Bond After Child Brings Loaded Gun on School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

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 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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The post Police Officers Watching for Illegal Passers to Ride Middle Tennessee School Buses appeared first on School Transportation News.

As students nationwide return to school, the work completed on school buses throughout the summer helps ensure they start classes with a safe, reliable ride.

Harley Pinson, assistant director of transportation fleet maintenance for Paulding County Schools in Georgia, said each summer mechanics inspect all areas of school buses to establish a baseline of their condition and identify aspects that drivers might not be aware of.

“We try not to prioritize one area over another,” added Pinson, an instructor for the STN EXPO National School Bus Inspection Program and a co-developer of the Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation inspector certification. “This gives us an overall view of the condition of the bus, not just safety-related items, although safety remains our highest priority. We also complete mileage-related maintenance, such as replacing spark plugs and fuel filters, along with oil changes that are due or will become due shortly after the school year begins.”

While noting the importance of checking HVAC, battery, tires and brakes, he said those are not simply summer tasks. “I feel it is important to check these items every time a bus comes in for service, not just during the summer,” he said.

Pinson added that mechanics and technicians also use the summer to update supplemental systems, such as DVR firmware, onboard mapping systems and two-way radios. “In addition, we schedule fire extinguisher inspections, fueling site inspections, and complete any other tasks that are easier to perform while the buses are not in daily route service.”

Meanwhile, in Texas, Duran Hargest III, director of fleet services for Dallas Independent School District in Texas, said during the summer vehicle repairs are their top priority.

“We focus on multiple departments within our fleet, ensuring that everything runs smoothly,” he said. “This includes making sure the air conditioning is functioning properly on our school buses, servicing the reefer units on our refrigerated trucks for food delivery to campuses and maintaining the ground equipment to keep the campuses in good condition.”

Gary Harlow, the shop manager of Coffee County Schools in Tennessee, said the work he prioritizes over summer is safety. “Anything we got to do to be safe for transporting children: The precious cargo,” he said. “We got to make sure safety first and foremost over everything. Whether it be tires, freight shoes, alarm buzzers.”

He said shop technicians aren’t doing their job if they’re not looking for potential mishaps. He said summer is an essential time for catching any problems, especially as during the school year many members of his maintenance team are driving routes.

“I’m big on brake lining, brake wear, drums,” he said, adding techs check all the windows, door buzzers and eight-way lights. “We need to make sure we’re doing our job to the utmost high standard it can possibly be.”

Detailing Summer Maintenance

Georgia’s Pinson said taking care of known issues during the summer allows the team to be better prepared to handle unexpected issues that arise when drivers and students return to school.

“Summer can be a challenging time because many systems are finishing one fiscal year budget while beginning the next,” he said. “If the work is not planned properly, you can run out of funds while still having plenty of work left to complete. Planning work around employee vacations, training and conferences can also be a challenge.”

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Hargest in Texas said that regardless of summer or winter, the maintenance team services the vehicles continuously throughout the year, every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. He noted that fleets could make mistakes when planning summer service, if they don’t have maintenance software to track repairs and alert for overdue services.

Tennessee’s Harlow said catching problems during the summer prevents bigger issues later down in the school year. He said the district does a lot with their buses, including all the fueling on site. So, a common practice when drivers are fueling their buses, the mechanics will be at the fuel island checking oil, brakes and tires.

He said common mistakes are not checking belts, batteries and alternator outputs.

“I come from the trucking world. I got into the [student] transportation side, and I’ve only worked in one shop as far as transportation,” Harlow said. “I really don’t know how other transportation mechanics vibe, but we have discussed, me and my guys, going to other shops and seeing how they operate to see if there’s something we can take away from that.”

The post Fleet Managers Share Importance of Summer Maintenance for Back-to-School Safety appeared first on School Transportation News.

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 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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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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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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