SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

District apologizes for calling for school bus driver’s firing

Officials from an Alberta school district change their stance after seeing a second video of a school bus incident that shows a student hitting the driver with a bag.

Thomas McMahon
Thomas McMahonExecutive Editor
June 4, 2015
3 min to read


EDMONTON, Alberta — Officials from a school district here said on Tuesday that they were wrong to call for a school bus driver’s firing for an incident that was recorded by two different cameras — each painting a different picture of what happened.

The first video of the May 25 incident was shot on the cell phone of a passenger sitting at the back of the bus. It appears to show the driver throwing another student’s bag off of the bus and making him get off as well. Other passengers can be heard yelling in outrage — “You can’t do that!”, “He doesn’t know how to get back home!” Then the camera turns to show the student standing at a corner as the bus pulls away.

Ad Loading...

After seeing that cell phone video, which was aired by news media, the Edmonton Catholic School District board called for the school bus driver to be terminated. The driver is an employee of contractor Cunningham Transport.

According to CBC News, Cunningham refused to fire the driver but did take him off of the district’s routes.

Cunningham then provided a second video of the school bus incident to media outlets. That clip, taken by a dashcam that the driver had installed, put the driver’s actions into context.

In the dashcam video, the student who was later ejected from the bus can be seen apparently kicking and hitting a passenger in the seat across the aisle from him. Then another student walks to the front of the bus and hits the driver in the head with a large duffel bag before he disembarks.

As for the student who had apparently been kicking and hitting another passenger, Cunningham Operations Manager Laura Doroshenko said that he also threatened to throw his backpack at the driver, CBC News reports. On the dashcam video, the driver can be seen throwing that student’s backpack off of the bus and making him leave.

Ad Loading...

"The driver felt at the time that this was the safest location for the student in question, but also to ensure the safety of the students on board," Doroshenko said in a written statement provided to CBC News.

After seeing the dashcam video, the Edmonton Catholic School District board changed its stance.

“In light of the second video showing an assault on the driver, we realize we should not have requested the driver’s termination,” district officials said in a statement, adding that they “have apologized to his employer, Cunningham Transportation Services, and will be apologizing to the driver as soon as we can reach him."

The district is conducting an investigation of the incident and is reviewing its use of video surveillance and safety protocols on buses.

“The district does not in any way condone the behaviour of the two students involved in the separate incidents on the bus,” officials said, “and the principals for both students were made aware of the situation so that they could take measures, which they have.”

Ad Loading...

Watch both videos here. From the school bus passenger’s cell phone:

From the dashcam at the front of the bus:

More Management

A school bus driver wearing a safety vest exchanges a high-five with a smiling young student near the front of a school bus. Sunlight streams through the windows as another adult stands nearby.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJune 18, 2026

What Happens to a School Bus After Retirement? First Student Has a New Answer

Through a new partnership with Advanced Remarketing Services, proceeds from retired vehicle sales will support Special Olympics and other community-focused organizations while advancing sustainability goals.

Read More →
School Bus Fleet leadership update graphic featuring the School Bus Logistics logo and headshots of three newly hired software data analysts: CJ Merrill, Jake Nulick, and Valorie Ashburn.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 18, 2026

School Bus Logistics Adds 3 Data Analysts, Expands Routing Capabilities

Three new data analysts and a BusRight certification bring an added layer of support to the routing services districts already use.

Read More →
Cover page of an NSTA (National School Transportation Association) whitepaper titled "Outsourcing Student Transportation Services Toolkit: Benefits of Contracting Transportation Services." The design features a blue and gold color scheme with a yellow school bus graphic at the top. The subtitle reads, "Discover the value and benefits of converting to contracted student transportation services, a proven road to cost reduction and service enhancement." Contact information for NSTA appears at the bottom, including the website YellowBuses.org and email address info@yellowbuses.org
SponsoredJune 18, 2026

Outsourcing Student Transportation Services Toolkit

Did you know nearly 40% of school districts utilize a private contractor to serve their transportation needs? Explore why more school leaders are turning to contracted transportation services, and how outsourcing can create meaningful value without sacrificing control. Discover the practical benefits of a transportation services platform that provides flexibility with coordination.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of a laptop displaying the EverDriven logo against a blue background, with the text "New AI-Powered Transportation Operations Hub" and the School Bus Fleet logo.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 17, 2026

EverDriven Debuts TripCentral as New District Transportation Portal

The new transportation management hub takes over the district portal to power trip planning, operations, visibility, and intelligence for school district transportation needs.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for School Bus Fleet's "Five Questions" series featuring Craig Beaver of Beaverton School District. The image shows Beaver smiling in an office setting alongside text reading "Five Questions with Craig Beaver." School Bus Fleet logo appears at the bottom.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJune 17, 2026

Lessons Learned from 4 Decades in Transportation: 5 Questions with Craig Beaver

Sit down with longtime transportation leader Craig Beaver moments before he retires, as he reflects on his career leading up to his role at Beaverton School District in Oregon and the secrets to leading great teams.

Read More →
Three people pose in front of a line of school buses.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJune 16, 2026

BusRight Honors Texas Driver With Inaugural Behind The Wheel Award

Selected from more than 300 nominations, Lawson Crook earned BusRight’s inaugural award for his dedication to students and safety.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Promotional graphic for The Route podcast by School Bus Fleet. On a bright yellow background with light circular accents, large text reads "4 Decades of Leadership Lessons." Featured guest Craig Beaver of Beaverton School District is shown smiling in a suit and tie on the right side of the image. The School Bus Fleet logo and The Route branding appear at the top left, with sponsorship by IC Bus displayed near the top center.
Sponsoredby Amanda HuggettJune 15, 2026

Craig Beaver’s Final Stop: Lessons from 43 Years in Transportation

After more than four decades in transportation, retiring Beaverton School District director Craig Beaver reflects on leadership, alternative fuels, AI, staffing, and what’s coming next. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
ManagementJune 15, 2026

What 43 Years in Transportation Taught Craig Beaver About Leadership

After more than four decades in transportation, retiring Beaverton School District admin Craig Beaver reflects on leadership, alternative fuels, AI, staffing, and what’s coming next.

Read More →
Tod Eskra stands on an award stage to accept recognition
Managementby News/Media ReleaseJune 12, 2026

ASTP's Tod Eskra Named an Entrepreneur of the Year

The award from Ernst & Young honors visionary leadership behind one of America's fastest-growing student transportation contracting companies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A black and white image of a school bus technician checking diagnostics as part of a graphic with text reading "How Do Today's School Bus Manufacturers Measure Up?"
Managementby StaffJune 10, 2026

Drivers and Technicians: Help Benchmark Today's School Bus Manufacturers

If you've spent time behind the wheel or under the hood, we want to hear your perspective on the buses you know best.

Read More →