Parent urges Rockford Public Schools to publish bus protocols after child left alone on bus

A Rockford parent told the school board that her 3‑year‑old was found alone and restrained on a district bus and called on the district to publish its transportation and attendance protocols and regular compliance reports.

"My name is Melissa Klein, and I am the mother of Caleb Klein," Melissa Klein said during public comment. She described receiving a call on 11/14/2025 that her son had been found alone on a bus, saying he was "alone on the bus for approximately 7 to 8 minutes," had been left in a 5‑point harness and was found in visible distress. Klein later said the family experienced a separate missed pickup in February when a daycare reported the child had not been picked up until about 20 minutes after the scheduled arrival.

Klein asked the district to make its full transportation and attendance protocols publicly available on the district website, to publish periodic public reports (at least quarterly) summarizing post‑trip inspections, compliance rates and any corrective actions, and to provide direct communication to families who rely on transportation for ECSE and special‑education services about how compliance is being monitored and who is responsible for oversight.

"These safeguards are only meaningful if they are consistently followed, monitored, and publicly accounted for," she said.

Superintendent Doctor Matthews responded during his remarks that the district has already addressed many issues Klein raised and acknowledged the need for consistent protocol adherence and greater transparency. "We agree that the protocols need to be followed by our staff," Matthews said, and added the district "will find ways to communicate this to our community effectively." He also reiterated that staff will continue to work with families and the community.

What the parent asked for: Klein requested (1) posting the district's full transportation and attendance protocols in a clearly accessible place on the district website, (2) periodic public reports summarizing post‑trip inspection audits and compliance rates, and (3) clear communications for families who rely on transportation for ECSE and other special‑education services describing monitoring and oversight status.

Board procedure and immediate next steps: At the meeting the superintendent said an audit had been performed after the November incident and that new transportation and attendance protocols and a child‑check system were implemented in December with retraining and random audits (as described by Klein). Matthews said the district will continue to seek ways to be transparent about findings and compliance. Board members thanked the parent for speaking.

Why it matters: Parents of students who rely on school transportation expect clear, visible safeguards and timely reporting when lapses occur. The parent framed her requests as narrowly focused on documentation and public reporting so families can verify that the new procedures are working.

What the district said it has done: Klein and the superintendent referenced a district audit that prompted retraining, added redundancies and installation of a child‑check system; the district also issued updated transportation and attendance protocols in December, according to Klein's testimony.

What remains unresolved: The parent asked for periodic public audit summaries and ongoing evidence of compliance; the board and administration acknowledged the request and said they will pursue transparency and communication steps, but the meeting did not set a required reporting schedule or specific dates for when the requested documents would appear online.

The meeting record shows the district accepted public comment and the superintendent stated the administration would work to communicate changes; no formal vote was taken on publishing the requested reports during this session.