Niles parents report kids missing after bus confusion

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Niles students busing problems

Nine Niles students didn't get dropped off at the right bus stop on Thursday September 4, 2008, and some parents even reported their children missing to police. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Sep 5, 2008 at 3:52 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 8, 2008 at 11:00 PM EST

NILES -- A handful of parents in Niles reported their children missing after they didn't get off the bus Thursday. It was a frightening situation that had parents frantic for nearly two hours.

Parents say nine students didn't get dropped off at the right bus stop. Police say they received calls reporting four kids missing. The school district says confusion was the biggest factor.

Every day Kellie Bella waits at the bus stop for her son Austin. But Thursday when the doors opened he was nowhere to be found.

"I was so scared. It was the worst 30, 45 minutes of my whole entire life," said Bella.

Bella found out the bus Austin was on did stop at the right spot. But the driver wouldn't let him off.

"[Austin] told him that he saw his mom here and saw his mom's van. And he told him it was his stop. And [the driver] wouldn't let him off, told him no," said Bella.

Niles Superintendent Doug Law admits there is a problem. Earlier this year, the district decided to privatize bus service. And Law says that's creating confusion.

School officials say part of the confusion has to do with changes this year. In the past students would identify their bus by the bus number. But this year they have to look for the route number instead.

"And that's been a real confusing factor this week. And it's taking us a long time to get kids on the right bus for the route that they belong on," said Law.

There are 32 bus drivers for Niles Schools. The private company hired 23 of them and nine new drivers. Law says because it's the first week of school, drivers are still getting familiar with students' faces.

"But that's still not an excuse. It's their kids and it's our kids. And we want to make sure they get home safely and get home in a reasonable amount of time. So that's what we're working for," said Law.

The superintendent said Friday schools revised bus route lists for drivers to make sure everything is correct.

If anything like this happens again, parents should first call the transportation garage at (269) 684-1420. If they can't get through there, call the school or the superintendent's office at (269) 683-0732.

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