Parents and community members raise concerns about bus driver rules and board transparency

Two members of the public used the Oct. 18 public-input period to raise concerns about transportation staffing and board governance.

Richard Henderson of Havelock told the board that his wife, a paraprofessional who also drives a school bus, faces a district requirement to drive both morning and afternoon routes. Henderson said the family is relocating and asked for flexibility to allow his wife to continue teaching without also running a morning route; he said transportation staff declined to make an exception. He also described a violent incident on his wife’s bus that required the driver to stop and call the principal. Henderson asked the board to look into the matter.

Kelly Muse of Maglamore Lane criticized the board’s transparency and decision-making, referencing past closed-session material and alleging insufficient review of personnel and historical records. Muse also questioned CTE program decisions such as adding horticulture courses at New Bern High while programs at West Craven were being reduced. She urged the board to allow staff evaluations of the board and to be more open about two-member “2 by 2” meetings she said had created division.

Board members acknowledged the speakers. One board member said driving a bus is “very challenging” and that the superintendent would look into the specific transportation issue Henderson raised; other members thanked the public for thoughtful feedback and encouraged continued civility in public comment. The board did not take formal action on either public comment item during the meeting.