A partial solution is no solution at all

By Staff
May 19, 2002
The Lauderdale County School Board has taken a tentative step in what should become a comprehensive review of its school bus safety program. By accepting the resignation of bus driver Michelle Smith who will remain on the job as a physical education teacher's aide at West Lauderdale Elementary School  the board dealt only partially with a single situation.
The public still does not know the details of the incident in which a child was caught in a school bus door and dragged. The public has a right to this information and school board members should feel obliged to release it. The public has a right to know the driving records of school bus drivers, and the school board or superintendent's office should make that information available, too.
In our opinion, school officials have found a convenient legal cover for not immediately releasing a full report of the April 29 dragging incident. Regardless of whether the family of the now 6-year-old student has hired a lawyer and regardless of whether a lawsuit may be filed, the facts of this case should not change.
On a larger scale, the county school board needs to identify the specific steps it will take to ensure that such incidents never happen again. We realize that, unfortunately, accidents involving school buses and other vehicles can happen. But we can think of no legitimate reason why any student would ever get caught in the bus door.
The county school board should immediately launch a comprehensive review of its school bus safety program. This effort should involve board members, administrators, parents, teachers, students and law enforcement officials. It should include a stronger mandatory education component, both for bus drivers and students who depend upon them for safe transportation to and from the classroom.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x