Another student left on bus

By TOM MOOR, Tribune Staff Writer

Tools

Student left on bus

(WSBT file photo)

By Beth Boehne

SOUTH BEND — A female Jackson Intermediate Center student was left on a school bus Tuesday morning, the third such incident reported this year in the South Bend Community School Corp.

The middle schooler was left on the bus when the driver dropped students off, superintendent James Kapsa said Wednesday. It is unclear how long it took for the driver to notice the student before the driver returned her to the school.

Kapsa said initial reports are that the student did not get off the bus with her brother and may have fallen asleep.

"We’re investigating how long it took before the driver found out," Kapsa said. "We’re interviewing the driver (today) as well as talking to the mother."

The corporation’s director of transportation was at Jackson Wednesday morning investigating, Kapsa said.

Kapsa, who did not know the identity or grade of the student, said he hopes to have more information later in the day.

The most recent occurrence comes on the heels of two previous incidents in which kindergartners were left on buses.

On Oct. 14, a Hay Primary Center kindergarten student was left on a bus instead of being dropped off at the school for afternoon kindergarten class. After leaving the school, the driver stopped at a nearby gas station and noticed the student standing outside the vehicle upon returning to the bus. The driver did not report the incident.

And in early September, a Kennedy Primary Academy student was left on a bus and discovered after the driver had left the vehicle at the corporation’s bus lot. That student was also found outside the bus and then returned to school without the transportation department’s knowledge. It was the mother in that case also who notified the school corporation.

Check back later for updates to this story.

Staff writer Tom Moor:
tmoor@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6555

Friday, Dec 5 at 12:15 PM Lil wrote ...

Ok People, Why blame the driver for the girl being left on the bus.. Get the record stright.. If the girl was a special needs child. There would have been an AID on the bus. The Aid, gets special needs kids off.. Now keep in mind that the driver did not leave the girl.. I lived in South Bend until July 2008, I have a special needs son.. And All drivers and aids were top of the line at protecting my son. Why didn't the brother wake his sleeping sis. Or let the driver know she was not getting off?

Friday, Dec 5 at 8:33 AM Bonnie wrote ...

I have 3 elementary aged children. All 3 have fallen asleep at one time or another on the bus trip home. And I admit I have entered the bus more than once to wake my sleeping child. This incident is nothing like the other 2. The driver followed procedure and never left the child alone. If you know you have a sleepy child then you should meet them at the bus stop. This particular driver should not be clumped with the others who left their busses without checking them.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 9:10 AM Common Sense (optional) wrote ...

I blame the parent for apparently not getting their child to bed early enough, I blame the other students for not saying anything to the bus driver. Kids love to tattle-tell on others so why didn't they tell on this student when they missed their drop off point? Maybe the bus drivers need to park the bus in the middle of the road each time a student is let off the bus, walk the isle and make sure everyone that got off did. Meanwhile, there will be more irate drivers held up by busses.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 8:35 AM DJ wrote ...

So how hard is it to get your lazy butt up from your seat and walk the entire bus to make sure you do not leave any children unattended?! Come on, let's do the job the right way and go above and beyond the call of duty.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 8:02 AM anna wrote ...

How 'bout we start school at a later time so there are less students falling asleep on the bus? I think all the other students that walked by, saw her sleeping and didn't say a word need to have something said to them too. They could have at least told the bus driver there was a snoozing child in the back. But maybe they didn't like the driver and WANTED her fired. I think EVERYONE is a little bit at fault here, not entirely the bus driver.

Thursday, Dec 4 at 5:40 AM Oh My wrote ...

Let's all pray that this doesn't happen again. Please God, watch over our precious little ones and give the drivers the knowledge and strength to diligently check each seat for our little angels.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 9:35 PM I Think you need to Wake UP!!! wrote ...

All the people that comment on here, wake up! Accidents happen, you do not know the whole story, this is not the worst thing that happens. why not write a story on all the children that go home to empty houses, all the parents that (supposedly care) are not there at their 5 year olds stop to help them home. You are the same people that complain that its to cold to wait at bus stops, but when they cancel school you whine because you are stuck with your kids all day. Get real. you don't care!

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 9:33 PM SCM Parent wrote ...

Oh my gosh...how hard is it to walk to the back of the bus and check for kids!!! And I am sorry to the person who said for everyone to go and apply with the SBCSC....been there ...done that and it is not easy!! At this moment I do not think I would want to be part of that school corp. CHECK THE FREAKING BUS...BUS DRIVERS!!!

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 9:09 PM Big Lar wrote ...

Why not make the driver sign a clip board that he or she the driver got up and checked the bus when they think everybody is off? Then, they must turn in that report at the end of the week. If they have a conscious, they will get up and go walk the isle and look hard. Then, sign the report. That makes the driver fully responsible to see that the kids aren't left behind.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 8:40 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Try avoiding the caps lock key and maybe people will take your posts seriously.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 8:16 PM Anonymous wrote ...

this is for the 1% of SB bus drivers who are 2 lazy to do their job..GET UP & LOOK!!!!!Just imagine if it were your little one or little grandone...

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 8:11 PM sbcsc co. worker wrote ...

PLEASE HAVE A LITTLE MERCY ON THE DRIVERS. WHILE SOME ARE SNOOZING IN YOUR NICE WARM BEDS THE DRIVER ARE UP AND ABOUT GETTING YOUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. RAIN SLEET , SNOW, SNOW WARNINGS WE RISK OUR LIVES TO MAKE A DOLLAR . NOT ONLY THAT WE HAFT TO DEAL WITH FIGHTS, GUNS, KNIVES BEING BROUGHT ON THESE BIG YELLOW BUSES. THE BUS DRIVERS ARE ON THE MOVE TO TRANSPORT YOUR CHILDREN. WE ARE ONLY HUMAN . MISTAKES DO HAPPEN. BUT LETS LOOK AT THE GOOD WE DO EVERY DAY FOR OUR CHILDREN.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 7:55 PM Anonymous wrote ...

It i possible that a more appropriate headline for this story would have been, "Student Fails to leave Bus at School." IF the driver never left the bus how can it be considered 'leaving a child'. When a driver pulls onto a schoo; ot there are usually many things going on. Other buses unboarding, coming, going, parents dropping off students and student swalking everywhere INCLUDING bewteen buses that may be pulling out. It's not as uncommon as you may think to find a child from a previous rout

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 7:45 PM SadSadSad wrote ...

I agree with others, how hard is it to walk to the back of the bus & check-the bus driver should NEVER exit the school bus for ANY reason or amount of time while a child is on board, even to step off for a second should be against policy!

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 7:30 PM Just me wrote ...

maybe a head count needs to be done and an extra adult needs to ride if this is gonna be an ongoing thing.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 7:13 PM Chris wrote ...

Everyone makes mistakes. The Girl wasn't hurt. Get over it.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 6:33 PM a mom wrote ...

This story needs more investigating. The driver is definitely at some fault, it is their responsibility to check the bus, the entire bus. Also, a middle school child? Maybe there is a medical reason of why she fell asleep(if so, then proof, and maybe she needs to be seated near the front). I will also have to say that I have called in about erratic driving on the bus's in the mornings. Running turn lane lights, yellow lights, pulling out in front of others.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 6:13 PM ANYTHINGBUTBASIC wrote ...

YOU HAVE ONE SIDE OF THE STORY THIS CHILD WAS NOT LEFT ON THE BUS THE DRIVER SEAT OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL WAITING FOR THE TIME TO GO BY TO START THE NEXT ROUTE GPS WILL SHOW THIS WHEN DRIVER WENT TO GO AND HELP TWO LEGAL BLIND STUDENTS OFF THE BUS THIS IS WHEN THE STUDENT WAS FOUND AND WAS SENT INTO THE SCHOOL EVERY ONE WANTS TO TAKE OUT THE DRIVER IF OUR KIDS DIDN'T HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY MAYBE THEY COULD SLEEP IN. TWO SIDES TO A STORY AND BOTH SIDES SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT SBCSC LEAK THIS STORY RIGHT

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 6:08 PM Dan wrote ...

what the SBCSC needs to do is get the bus drivers and the custodians on two different contracts,so they can deal with the bus drivers and give the custodians a contract.the bus drivers get paid to walk the bus to make sure the kids are off the bus and you can see that they don't!

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 6:04 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I recently completed the training for bus drivers at SBCSC and I tell you that the really stress the importance of checking the bus to insure that no child is left onboard. Everyone makes mistakes and people need to stop bashing others that make them. It's mostly the unemployeed people that have all day to read online publications such as this that are being so negative. I would invite all of you to apply with the school corp and perform the job for the low wage these nice people make.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 5:36 PM South Bend wrote ...

Hmmm lets see the contract drivers are more dependable then the hourly drivers, most always run there routes on time no delays good and bad weather, you do not hear them on the two way radio sounding like some stupid idiot who couldnt find the way out of a wet paper bag. Maybe they should eliminate the corp drivers and go all contract. This one incident with the contractor is the only incident and was unfortunate. How bout new managment team??

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 5:12 PM Upset wrote ...

Lets see if the board and Kapsa are willing to hold folks accountable. Not only should the bus driver be released, but also who ever is in charge of driver training. They aren't doing a good job. Is this another "contract" driver that left the child on a bus again. Maybe we should eliminate all "contract" bus drivers.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 5:04 PM Darrell Lowellen wrote ...

I think there should be created special class instruction for children how not to be left on the bus alone and scared. This course will teach each and every child what to do and what not to do when riding any bus. It may be the small busses that run around all the time or the large busses that takes all children and adolecents to school. I know school bus drivers are overworked and underpaid. With a lot of responsibilities to care in the strets drunk drivers a cutters too. They desrve a raise.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 5:03 PM rob wrote ...

Maybe its time to prosecute doting parents who rob their children of learning to be responsible for their own actions.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 5:00 PM ziggy wrote ...

Unless the student was a "special needs" student a middle school student is old enough to take responsibility for there own dismount. The bus driver IS NOT a baby sitter. What about the afore mentioned brother? Oh my child! Oh my stars and garters. BAH! Less mommy and more personal responsibility. PERIOD

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 4:34 PM Karen wrote ...

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. This has to stop. Maybe it's time to prosecute these lazy bus drivers for child endanger ment. Why is it so hard to check the bus before you leave it?

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 4:06 PM clay wrote ...

Why has there been no report on the huge fight at Clay High School where word has it teachers were injured trying to break it up. Why does the news pick and choose-one time they will report it next they won't. Then sometimes it appears they have it out for a particular school, then they move on-HMMMMM

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 3:57 PM j wrote ...

How hard is it to walk through the bus to make sure there are no kids left?? Really-these drivers are just plain lazy!

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 3:55 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Maybe we need to define what 'leaving a child on a bus' means. If the driver exits the bus and there is a student on board; THAT is leaving a student on a bus. This would include stopping for any reason or amount of time. Bathroom, phone call, quick purchase, ANYTHING! If the driver drops at one school and begins to pick up students on the following route and students from the next school find the child on the bus that is NOT leaving a child on a bus. It's an inconvenience but not a safety issue

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 3:41 PM KAG wrote ...

How hard is it to get out of the drivers seat, walk the bus and make sure there are NO students left that may have fallen asleep. It's not rocket science.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 3:35 PM DD wrote ...

What is so hard about checking the bus for kids after your route is done?

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 3:09 PM Ana wrote ...

Did they outsource the bussing in SBCSC?

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 2:47 PM Hello People! wrote ...

How hard is it for the driver to get up off ther *!! and walk from the front of the bus to the back to make sure everyone is off????? How hard???? These drivers are just lazy and they should be fired on the first offense, period. It's so simple, just get up and walk to the back of the bus - hello, people!

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 2:42 PM Anonymous wrote ...

If this kid was in middle school I think they are old enoough to stay awake until the bus can get them home

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 2:09 PM Scott wrote ...

If they are using First Student they need to change.Columbus Oh had to get rid of them because this kept happening there.They also were not doing background checks on they're drivers.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 2:04 PM Math wrote ...

If this keeps up we won't have any bus drivers left.

Wednesday, Dec 3 at 2:00 PM GOSHEN wrote ...

GOSHEN LEFT MY SLEEPING SON ON THE BUS AND THEY DID NOTHING THE DIRECTER SAID THEY HANDLED WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?????????

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

WSBT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, or remove user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum. Items that may be considered inappropriate to post are those containing profanity, hatred, or insensitive, vulgar, unlawful or threatening comments.

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 26
°
More Weather
More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Wheel of Fortune
7.30
Jeopardy!
8.00
Ghost Whisperer
9.00
Flashpoint
10.00
Numb3rs
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
Late Show with David Letterman

Question of The Day

Will 2009 be a better year for the RV industry?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

  • Yes
  • No