Schools

Superintendent: Bus Driver Disciplined

Jessica Cooley told WSB-TV she is upset about her 3-year-old son, who attends S.T.A.R.S. Pre-K, being left on a school bus Friday for more than five hours.

Superintendent John Harper confirmed yesterday a 3-year-old speech therapy student was left on a school bus Sept. 9 for more than five hours.

According to WSB-TV, the child's mother, Jessica Cooley is upset her son was left on the bus and said the child was sweating and had soiled himself.

The mother told the TV station the driver, checking for children, looked on one side of the bus, but failed to check the other side. The incident was captured on video.

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Harper told and "thankfully it was a cool day," and said the driver had been disciplined. He declined to say what measures were taken to discipline the "usually reliable bus driver."

The child was "fine," Harper added, citing a "good-weather day." He said the bus driver failed to follow procedure and as a human, made a mistake.

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The bus picked up the child about 6:40 a.m. that Friday morning and he was discovered still on the bus shortly before it was scheduled to make an 11:30 a.m. run.

Cooley said she understands everyone makes mistakes, but added, "What if it had been a hot day?"


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