District defends driver for keeping kids on bus
Salt Lake City Schools and one of its bus drivers face scrutiny from some parents after the driver pulls over on a route because kids are unruly and refuses to let them out. District officials review the bus video and say the driver did everything right, and that the situation escalated because of a parent who showed up with a bat, demanded that his student be let off and threatened the life of the driver.
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City Schools and one of its bus drivers are facing scrutiny from some parents after the driver pulled over on a route last week because kids were misbehaving and refused to let them out, ABC 4 Utah reports.
Parents told the news outlet their kids called them frantically trying to get off the bus. Salt Lake City Schools spokesperson Jason Olsen told ABC 4 Utah the driver pulled over for safety reasons because the students were “very unruly,” yelling profanity at the driver, and at one point he had to stop the bus because a student was standing up. Police were called and school leaders arrived. While the students and driver were waiting for the police, a parent of one of the students came to take his daughter, but the driver wouldn’t let him, according to the news outlet.
District officials reviewed the bus video and said the driver did everything right, ABC 4 Utah reports. Olsen told the news outlet the footage also revealed that the situation escalated because of a parent who showed up with a bat and demanded that his student be let off and threatened the life of the driver, so the driver didn’t release any students until other school leaders arrived.
Olsen told the news outlet the timeline is under investigation, the district is sorry this happened, and the driver was doing his best to follow his training and to ensure student safety. The driver is being supervised this week and the district planned to have a training session to discuss the incident.
To read the full story, click here.
More Management

Inside NAPT ACTS 2026: Highlights from Louisville
From federal updates and student behavior strategies to new school bus technology and industry awards, see highlights from NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville.
Read More →
Meet the 2025 School Bus Driver Hero Winner: Annette Brown
We caught up with Wa-Nee Community Schools' Annette Brown on site at SBFX, where she was named the 2026 School Bus Driver Hero Award winner. Hear about her reaction, what she loves most about being a school bus driver, and more!
Read More →
Predictability Is Like Ketchup (According to 6-Year-Olds)
To students, a different school bus can feel like a full-blown crisis. One driver reflects on why familiar routines, showing up on time, and being reliably boring matter more than we think.
Read More →
Samsara Launches Free Driver Rewards Program
The new Driver Perks program gives eligible professional drivers access to discounts and offers without adding a cost for participating fleets.
Read More →
How Tax-Exempt Municipal Leases Can Help Finance School Buses
Let’s explore school bus financing options, including municipal leases, vendor payable accounts, and balloon payments, and how they can help stretch fleet budgets.
Read More →
Nominate Rising School Transportation Pros Under 40!
We’re searching for the next generation of leaders making an impact across the K-12 student transportation industry to recognize as SBF’s 2027 Trailblazers. Nominations are open now!
Read More →
Changing Lanes: BusWhere, EverDriven, InterMotive, Summit School Services, Switzer-Carty & Thomas Built Buses
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation suppliers, contractors, and manufacturers.
Read More →
The Most Expensive Thing You Do Before Selling a School Bus: Wait
When should you sell an aging school bus? Learn how maintenance, mileage, corrosion, specifications, and timing can affect resale value long before the auction.
Read More →
American Student Transportation Partners Acquires AJ Myers and Sons
A new deal brings a 75-year Pennsylvania student transportation provider into one of the nation’s largest private school bus contracting groups.
Read More →
What I Brought Home From SBFX: Relationships, Leadership, and Preparing What's Next
Who could lead your transportation operation tomorrow if you couldn't? Bernando Brown explores succession planning, mentorship, and preparing emerging leaders to step up.
Read More →

