A South Carolina bus driver has been behind the wheel since 1980. In the 35 years transporting high school students to and from school, Earlene Scott, 56, has had an impeccable record, not one infraction to tarnish it, with every student that hops aboard his bus getting home safe. “Parents want their kids safe, just like I would with mine. They want their kids respected, and they want the driver to be trusted with their kids,” said Scott.
Pittsburgh public works officials are diligently addressing the concerns of parents whose children use a bus stop bear a construction site. The parents say they are worried about the number of hazards around the site, including construction equipment crowding pathways. Parents presented evidence of exposed metal grates and circular saws left out in full access to children who occupy the area regularly. The construction is part of a three-year plan to improve the Penn Avenue corridor. “Safety at a job site, especially near a bus stop, is of utmost importance. We appreciate you and parents bringing this to our attention,” said the Department of Public Works in a released statement.
A San Antonio, Texas, bus driver found himself hot water after allowing three heavily intoxicated women to board a bus filled with students. The North East Independent School District said it is still investigating the incident, reviewing security footage to learn exactly how the trio of drunks was able to get on the bus and ride it all the way to Harris Middle School. The video shows the women stumbling onto the bus and taking seats. Two of the women exited the bus once it arrived on campus but before the bus driver stopped the third woman to ask for her identification. One of the women faces an assault charge, while another was cited for possessing alcohol on school property. All three women are banned from campus. The 10-year veteran bus driver was fired since the episode was revealed. “Clearly the bus driver wasn’t paying attention to who was walking down the row of seats,” said a district spokeswoman.
After struggling with an erratic woman attempting to rush a Texas school bus, a veteran bus driver with the Crosby Independent School District is being hailed as a hero by administrators and parents. When bus driver David Cooke arrived at one of his stops to let children off, he opened the doors and the woman ran up the steps, threatening to bite Cooke, who took it upon himself to protect his precious cargo. He fought the woman and got her off the bus, closing the doors and driving down the street. Police arrested the woman a short time later. Cooke returned to his route to drop off the children. “He brings back my child in one piece, a happy piece. He did exactly what every parent would want their school bus driver to do to keep their kids safe. So I’m very thankful for Mr. Cooke,” said one parent.
Since the revelations of safety issues and delays on school buses in Palm Beach County, Florida, one local state lawmaker is calling for accountability. “I don’t care what you have to do, go get a private company, maybe they’re not capable of bussing our children, maybe they need a private company to do this,” said Rep. Irving Slosberg. The representative has demanded that the school district has to do something since the safety of children is on the line. The issues, including overcrowded buses and delays, are being blamed on the failed rollout of new routing software. A shortage of drivers has compounded the problem. Slosberg has given transportation officials an ultimatum to provide enough buses to ensure that every student is safely seated and transported to their school. “I’m sure these are high paid officials and they just have to make sure that this is corrected in the morning,” Slosberg said.
Similar complaints of overcrowded buses, including student sitting on the floor while the vehicle is in motion, have plagued Atlanta Public Schools.
