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Pocono News Section
Driver Suspended For Failing To Notice Student Sleeping On Bus
Driver Suspended For Failing To Notice Student Sleeping On Bus - Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 5:09PM EST
Reported by: Jill Konopka
Wednesday, Feb 6, 2008 @05:09pm EST
(DALLAS, Luzerne County) A school bus driver for the Dallas School District will be suspended without pay next week for leaving behind a first-grade boy on the bus Monday. The driver, who's name is not being released, is described as an excellent, three year employee of Emanuel Bus Line. The Orange based company that is "contracted" out to transport kids in the Back Mountain to and from school. As Reporter Jill Konopka explains, a mother's concern, is prompting action, from the School District. The Dallas School District has some new policies in place, two days after a sleeping seven-year-old boy was left behind on a school bus. Rachelle Markham is the Mother of that boy, Connor, "I didn't know the bus route or where to start looking. I called the school, I came to the school, I went to his old day care. I called emergency numbers we had left it was terrifying and frustrating." The District has since set up a new after hours emergency hotline to avoid what happened to Connor Markham on Monday at this bus barn on Hildebrant road. Markham added, "It scares me, that he woke up alone, on an empty bus and pried himself out and had to walk along that road, which was dark, windy and busy." Connor found help from a custodian at the school. Superintendent Frank Galicki called his mother 2 hours later to let her know he was safe and sound.. Superintendent Frank Galicki added, "We gave him a sandwich and chips and he was happy but you could tell a little distraught." From now on, after 4:30 p.m., parents can call 8-5-5-2-9-9-3 beginning Monday February 11th. Superintendent Galicki added, "One of our administrators will be in charge of receiving calls. He'll be the first responsible and direct the call to respective administrator." Bus drivers contracted out through Emanuel Bus Line based in Orange, must also follow a few new guidelines. They'll have to comply with daily checklists. Galicki said, "They'll sign documents in the morning and the evening and forms turned in and without forms turned in there will be no payment." And the district plans to post its bus routes on-line too. Rachelle Markham is relieved, "If you feel your child got off on the wrong stop, you'll know where to start driving." These are a few moves that make the Markham's feel much better. That new hotline number 855-2993 will be up and running on Monday. Ironically, the night Connor Markham walked to the school, the district’s Board Members were meeting to extend a five-year contract with Emanuel Bus Line. | | |
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