SchoolBus logo in red and orange
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

School Bus Driver Found Not Guilty of Hitting Special-Needs Student

A jury finds Jeannette Burrage of Washington not guilty of assaulting a 6-year-old boy with autism. Video showed her in a scuffle with the boy, but the jury couldn’t prove that she intentionally hit him. 

June 3, 2016
2 min to read


SEATAC, Wash. — A former state judge who became a school bus driver and was accused of slapping a special-needs student has been cleared of assault charges, KOMO News reports.

A jury found Jeannette Burrage not guilty of assaulting a 6-year-old boy with autism in 2015, according to the news source. Video surveillance footage from the bus showed Burrage involved in a scuffle with the boy, but a jury couldn’t prove that she intentionally hit him, and called the incident a “reflexive action," KOMO News reports. Burrage said that she didn’t remember the slap happening.

As previously reported, the boy became agitated after unexpectedly being put on a school bus instead of the van he routinely rides. The bus monitor asked Burrage for help because his behavior was escalating.

Burrage said in a statement that she believes a series of errors led to the incident, among those a school bus driver shortage throughout the district and a lack of communication about the boy’s needs, according to the news source. Burrage added that she was fired from her job as a bus driver in 2015, but is appealing the termination. Although an arbitrator may decide in August whether she should get her job back, she said she is not sure she would return.

Catherine Carbone Rogers, a spokeswoman for Highline Public Schools, said in a statement obtained by KOMO News that “There is never any circumstance under which it is acceptable for a Highline staff member to strike a child.”

More Special Needs Transportation

Graphic showing a school bus with a wheelchair lift deployed and the headline “Special Needs Ridership Rises & More Trends,” highlighting 2026 School Bus Fleet special-needs survey results.

Special-Needs Transportation Shifts in 2026: More Riders, More Tech, New Pressures [Survey Report]

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 →
An aerial photograph of Jersey City, New Jersey, during the day.
Special Needs TransportationJanuary 20, 2026

New Jersey Legislature Approves Special Education Transportation Task Force

The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

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 →
Ad Loading...
Black and white graphic with an image of a female student getting into an alternative transportation vehicle. Text reads "Student Privacy & Special Needs: Legal, Ethical, and Practical Guidance."
Special Needs TransportationJanuary 16, 2026

Why Student Privacy Matters in Special-Needs School Transportation

Learn more about what federal law really allows when sharing special-needs information with bus drivers and aides while protecting student privacy.

Read More →

AMF Bruns Celebrates 2025 Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year

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 →
SponsoredDecember 1, 2025

Safety Leadership for School Bus Operations

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 →
Ad Loading...
Special Needs Transportationby StaffNovember 11, 2025

Your Insights Needed: 2026 Special Needs Survey Now Open

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 →
SponsoredNovember 7, 2025

eBook: Good for the Fleet, Good for the Community

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 →

Survey: Homeless Student Identification Rises for Third Consecutive Year

New data reveals frontline perspectives on supporting some of America’s most vulnerable students, detailing transportation challenges and possible solutions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Kala Henkensiefken poses for a photo in the driver's seat of a school bus. Text reads: "From Driver to Mentor: Kala Henkensiefken."
Managementby Elora HaynesSeptember 11, 2025

From Driver to Mentor: Kala Henkensiefken's Legacy in Special Education Transportation

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 →