Corbin bus driver gets week suspension for leaving sleeping kid on bus

After a face-to-face meeting with Roy Johnson, the bus driver who left a child on his bus after parking it at Corbin Primary School for the night, Corbin Superintendent Ed McNeel suspended Johnson for five days with pay.

In addition, McNeel said a written reprimand has been placed in Johnson’s file.

In the letter of reprimand, McNeel noted that Johnson’s record indicated this was the first infraction of any kind.

In addition, McNeel advised Johnson in the letter that any future issues that result in disciplinary action may result in suspension without pay or termination.

"I took into account the driver’s past record and remorsefulness," McNeel said.

According to school officials, the child was on the bus going home after leaving Corbin Primary School on the afternoon of Sept. 9. The child fell asleep on the bus and the driver was unaware the child was still on the bus when he parked the bus at the school after completing the route.

Principal Travis Wilder found the child about 15 minutes later in the school parking lot. The child was taken inside and given a snack and something to drink, while the child’s parents were notified.

Though bus drivers are required to check their buses at the end of the run to ensure no children remain on the bus, McNeel said this is the third time this has happened since he has been superintendent. To ensure it is the last time, a new system will be installed on the six buses that carry primary (K-2) students.

"When the bus is turned off, an alarm will go off," McNeel said. "The driver will have to go to the back of the bus to push the button to turn it off.

McNeel said a purchase order has been placed for the systems, each of which will cost $126.

"I have been told once the systems are delivered it will take a couple of days to install them," McNeel said.

In addition, officials said additional policies have been put in place.

Those policies include:

· Require bus monitors to complete a bus walk-through when the last student is dropped off.

· Require bus monitors to complete a 2nd bus walk-through at the end of the bus route.

· Inform all bus operators that at the end of every bus route, the bus operator is mandated to inspect the total bus prior to leaving the bus.

· Utilize a student check on/off list for bus routes.

· Focus in on-going training of bus operators the importance for the safety of every child.

In addition, Susie Hart, public relations director for the school system, said Principal Wilder will be conducting a ride-along on each bus route from Corbin Primary and make recommendations for improvements.