Special-needs student left on bus for second time

NEWINGTON, Conn. — Last week, 4-year-old Ashleigh Jascowski, a special-needs preschooler, was left behind on a school bus after the driver returned to the district’s transportation garage and clocked out, apparently not noticing that the child was still strapped in her seat.

The Hartford Courant reported that this was the second time in a year that Jascowski has been left behind on a school bus. Following the first incident, in November 2007, district officials emphasized to drivers that they must inspect every bus seat after finishing each route and post signs in the front and back windows confirming that the bus is empty.

District officials are investigating last week’s incident and said they will immediately begin enforcing a new policy that requires two transportation employees to check each bus carrying preschool and special-education students and sign a form confirming that the bus is empty.

Police are conducting a separate investigation into the incident after receiving a complaint from the Jascowski family.

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