A School Committee member for Barrington Public Schools said the committee voted Wednesday to direct Ocean State Transit to permanently remove both a bus driver and a bus monitor from service, to hire an outside investigator and to arrange counseling for affected students and families.

The committee moved to order Ocean State Transit to “permanently remove both the bus driver and bus monitor of this bus route from Barrington public school service, immediately and forever,” and members adopted the motion by voice vote, with the clerk recording the outcome as in favor.

The action follows what the committee described as “very disturbing allegations” involving a bus monitor employed by Ocean State Transit. The School Committee member, speaking for the panel, said the committee was “absolutely outraged” and that, because of confidentiality and ongoing criminal inquiries, it could not disclose further details at this time.

To establish an independent review, the committee voted to hire Timothy Groves of the law firm Barton Gilman to provide third‑party investigative services. The member said the investigator would be directed to set a broad scope, including an in‑depth historical review, and to follow the facts and evidence wherever they lead. The motion to retain Groves was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The committee also approved engaging TIDES Family Counseling to provide counseling and mental‑health resources “for the impacted families, as well as the broader community,” the member said. That approval was adopted by voice vote.

Committee members said the district has been in contact with the Barrington Police Department and the office of the attorney general and that any criminal‑justice matters will be referred to those agencies in support of their investigations. The committee publicly thanked the Barrington Police Department for its work and said it fully supports their ongoing probe.

Finally, the committee added a special meeting for Tuesday, June 30, to issue a request for proposals for transportation services and signaled it would evaluate whether to replace Ocean State Transit. The committee said that future votes on a contract or replacement carrier would occur at subsequent public meetings.

Committee members also voted to seal minutes from the executive session held earlier in the meeting; that motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The School Committee adjourned after completing the actions.