Bus driver urges Rock Hill leaders to address stop-run violations, equipment and loading safety

A Rock Hill School District bus driver used the Aug. 12 public-comment period to urge immediate changes to transportation safety and equipment, including more cameras and alarms on buses, separate loading for special-education riders, and improved restroom access for female transportation staff.

The driver said she once "found a gun" on a bus and "was panicking," and described instances of motorists running bus stop signs that place children at risk. She urged the district to consider alarm systems and cameras that can help issue citations automatically to drivers who illegally pass stopped buses. "Last year, driving a school bus, I found a gun shot something on my I was panicking, and I was scared," she said.

She also raised workplace concerns about only two women's restrooms for more than 100 transportation employees and said a new bus she was assigned had a persistent check-engine light. On special-education routing, she urged separate loading locations for special-needs buses to reduce the risk that a student who runs from a bus would encounter regular traffic.

Chairwoman Miller responded that many of the concerns were security-related and that the superintendent would connect the speaker with Andrew Jones, the district—s head of safety and emergency management, to follow up. "Look for an email... probably tomorrow morning connecting the two of you," the chair said.

What happens next: The superintendent and the head of safety plan to follow up with the driver to review specific site and route issues and identify next steps.