HOWELL, Mich. — School officials began assessing their response to an alleged sexual assault on a school bus earlier this year.

The incident was reported to the students’ principal in May, but the report apparently didn’t reach Howell Public Schools' superintendent and board. Police were informed and launched an investigation.

Last week, the incident became public when the case went to court. An 11-year-old boy and a 9-year-old were charged with criminal sexual conduct for allegedly making a 7-year-old boy perform a sexual act during a bus ride.

The district held a town hall meeting on Monday to discuss the matter. The man who initially reported the assault, the boyfriend of the victim’s mother, questioned why the superintendent and school board didn’t know about it until last week.

Superintendent Chuck Breiner said that he met with the principal and other administrators last week to discuss the district’s response to the incident and to improve communication throughout the administrative layers of the district. Breiner also said that the district is examining additional measures to improve bus safety.