The V.I. Department of Education has launched an investigation into an incident involving the removal of a student headed to the Bertha C. Boschulte School from a school bus early Tuesday morning. The student was using transportation services provided by School Busing Inc., a company contracted by the VIDE for student transport.
According to VIDE, initial reports from School Busing Inc. suggest that the student was removed from the bus after displaying inappropriate language, unruly behavior, and irate actions, which the bus driver deemed a safety concern for other passengers. Believing the situation posed a risk to all on board, the driver made the decision to remove the student from the bus. A second bus was dispatched to pick up the student, but the driver was unable to locate him. Following the incident, the school's administration was notified, and the V.I. Police Department transported the student to the Bertha C. Boschulte campus.
In a statement, the Department of Education expressed regret that the student had to endure such an experience. "We regret that this student had to experience being removed from the bus, and the Department is working diligently to gather all the facts surrounding the situation," said a spokesperson. An incident report has been requested to clarify the events and assess the driver’s decision.
While the Department acknowledges that School Busing Inc. is a separate vendor, it stressed the importance of following established procedures and protocols in such situations. Both the VIDE and School Busing Inc. will address concerns raised about the bus driver's actions as part of the ongoing investigation, according to the release.
In line with the VIDE’s policies, the department’s "Bus Conduct Responsibilities and Consequences" document outlines the expectations for student behavior and safety on school buses. Students are required to exhibit orderly conduct at all times, and bus drivers must adhere to specific protocols. The department said it has made clear that any failure to comply with these procedures will result in appropriate accountability measures for all involved parties.
A parental hearing will also be conducted to ensure that all parties involved are heard. VIDE said corrective actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation to prevent future incidents.
