See also: Video of school bus driver texting while driving leads to policy change
School bus driver accused of using cell phone with kids on board
An investigation by New York State Police and school district officials leads to the bus driver being charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
BATH, N.Y. — A school bus driver here has been arrested and charged for allegedly using a cell phone while transporting students.
According to New York State Police, the arrest stems from a complaint that Kelly Parulski, 45, was using a portable electronic device while operating a Bath Central School District bus with passengers under age 17 on board.
State police in Bath investigated the matter on Friday in conjunction with a Bath Central School District school resource officer and the district’s transportation department.
The investigation led to Parulski being charged on Tuesday with endangering the welfare of a child, which is a Class A misdemeanor, and with vehicle and traffic law violations. She is slated to appear in court at a later date.
According to WENY, a state police investigator said that Parulski used her phone to text and talk multiple times while driving her bus.
Joe Rumsey, superintendent of Bath Central School District, told local news outlets that Parulski is no longer driving a school bus.
“Student safety is a priority, and we’re always warning our students about the dangers of using a cell phone and texting while driving,” Rumsey told The Leader. “When we got the complaint, we took it very seriously and immediately reviewed the footage.”
More Safety

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System
The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.
Read More →
N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students
New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.
Read More →
America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse
Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.
Read More →
School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate
Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.
Read More →
The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation
Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.
Read More →
Operation STEER Brings Emergency Response Training to North Texas
Prosper ISD hosted the third annual training for transportation professionals across 67 districts to learn how to respond to emergencies, such as rollovers and evacuations, and proper use of safety equipment.
Read More →
Florida District Relaunches BusPatrol School Bus Camera Program With New Safeguards
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
School Bus Laws To Watch: Seat Belt Bills, Funding Fights & EV Changes
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus at Busy Brooklyn Intersection
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
Does Reliable School Transportation Boost Attendance? EverDriven’s Data Says Yes
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
