District: Parkway Bus Driver's Actions Were "Unacceptable"

A Parkway School District spokeswoman confirmed to Patch Thursday that the driver of a district school bus who allowed a third grade student to exit at the wrong bus stop Tuesday would likely be terminated.

Cathy Kelly confirmed information earlier this week, when the station reported that the young girl who boarded the wrong bus at was dropped off two stops past the third grade student's normal location.

"Where she was dropped off was close," Kelly said, but added that it was still a violation of district policy. Under normal circumstances the driver would have contacted Parkway's Transportation department or just dropped the student off at the correct location.

Normal protocol requires notes from parents if a student is getting off at a stop other than their own.

In this case, the girl became disoriented and went the wrong way before she was found in Creve Coeur Park.

Kelly said drivers were addressed about the incident Wednesday and that the driver in this case had worked for several years in the district.

The Board of Education has the final say on the employment status of the driver, and will likely take it up Superintendent Dr. Keith Marty's recommendation that she be terminated in closed session at the next meeting.

"I don't imagine they would disagree," Kelly said. "Nothing is more important than the safety of our kids."