MENU
SEARCHMissouri officials say that a school bus driver and an aide left a nonverbal 19-year-old in her wheelchair on the bus and then found her at the end of the school day. School staff gave the student fluids and checked her vital signs before taking her home.
LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — Two staff members at a state school here were dismissed after a disabled 19-year-old student was left on a school bus earlier this month.
The incident occurred on Jan. 10. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education officials said that the bus driver and an aide left the nonverbal student in her wheelchair on the bus during the school day and found her on the bus at the end of the day.
School staff gave the student fluids and checked her vital signs before taking her home.
The state education department’s area director started a full inquiry into the incident to determine what happened and whether there were any other employees involved. Officials said that the supervisor and the building administrator will evaluate the procedures used for taking attendance and checking students into and out of the school each day.
The school reported the situation to the child abuse and prevention hotline run by the Missouri Department of Social Services. It was deemed a Type 2 or non-emergency incident.
The two staff members were employees of the school and the bus company that serves it. Both were dismissed from their positions.
Other recent news about students left on the bus:
What’s changing in special-needs transportation? Operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and emerging challenges. Details here! Survey sponsor: AMF Bruns of America.
Read More →
The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.
Read More →
Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.
Read More →
Learn more about what federal law really allows when sharing special-needs information with bus drivers and aides while protecting student privacy.
Read More →
Julio Ospina, a SPED driver and safety trainer at Wylie ISD in Texas, was named the national winner in AMF's annual driver award series.
Read More →
The most important factor in operating as safely as possible is leadership. Learn about an innovative new training course that teaches all levels of leadership the many practices to instill a safety culture in the drivers.
Read More →
Help shape the 2026 state of Special-Needs Transportation report! School district and contractor leaders — share your notes on ridership, equipment, and staffing by Dec. 31, 2025.
Read More →
Learn how modern telematics helps pupil transportation fleets operate more safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively while proving measurable value to their communities. See how real fleets are reducing idling, improving driver safety, and using video data to protect budgets and passengers alike.
Read More →
New data reveals frontline perspectives on supporting some of America’s most vulnerable students, detailing transportation challenges and possible solutions.
Read More →
For decades, Henkensiefken has been a cornerstone of special education transportation in Minnesota. As she prepares for retirement, her career reflects on the industry's evolution and her unwavering commitment to its advancement.
Read More →
