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Bus driver pleads for restroom access and safety fixes; board says Findlay Road restrooms opened
Summary
A Rockville School District bus driver told the board Sept. 23 that drivers lack restroom access, low pay and a broken horn contributed to a near‑miss with a child; the district said female drivers now have badge access to restrooms at Findlay Road and staff will follow up.
Nancy Pyle, a Rockville School District bus driver, told the board at its Sept. 23 meeting that bus drivers need restroom access, pay and other transportation fixes and described a recent near‑miss in which a child on a scooter came within about 1 foot of a bus while the bus horn failed.
"I was crying...I'm on my knees, begging you," Pyle said, urging the district to reconsider its decision and noting that modest funding (she cited $30,000 and $40,000) would make a difference.
Board members and staff replied that the district has taken steps to address at least one immediate concern: a board member said the Findlay Road building has been opened to female bus drivers using their employee badges so they have restroom access. The board member added that the district does not own the yellow school buses — "they are owned by the state of South Carolina" — and so some remedies (vehicle maintenance, traffic enforcement) fall outside district control.
Chair Miller said the superintendent would follow up: "Dr. Elder and Mr. Wilson will continue the conversations," and staff later indicated Mr. Wilson will set up a meeting with the commenter.
No formal budget action or board resolution was recorded at the meeting; the board said it will continue following the district's communication plan and chain of command to determine next steps.
