The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) is actively investigating an incident involving a student who was removed from a school bus earlier this morning, Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The student was utilizing transportation services provided by School Busing Inc., a contracted vendor of the VIDE. It is important to clarify that school bus drivers are not employees of the Department of Education.

We regret that this student had to experience being removed from the bus, and the Department is working diligently to gather all the facts surrounding the situation. Due to the nature of the incident, which involves the safety and well-being of students and staff, an incident report has been requested to outline the sequence of events and the cause for action. It is crucial that accurate information is obtained to ensure a fair and thorough investigation.

Initial reports from School Busing Inc. indicate that the student exhibited inappropriate language, unruly behavior, and irate actions that posed a safety concern for other passengers. The bus driver believed these actions could compromise the safety of all on board and, as a result, made the decision to remove the student from the bus. A second bus was dispatched to pick up the student, but the driver was unable to locate him. The school’s administration was immediately notified, and a Virgin Islands Police Department officer subsequently transported the student to the Bertha C. Boschulte campus.

The Department emphasizes that while School Busing Inc. is a contracted vendor, it is critical that all situations are handled according to established procedures and guidelines. As we continue our investigation, both the school bus company and the VIDE will address concerns raised regarding the actions taken by the bus driver.

In accordance with the VIDE’s commitment to student safety, a Bus Conduct Responsibilities and Consequences document provides comprehensive guidelines for school bus safety procedures. These rules are in place to ensure that students, staff, and bus drivers understand their responsibilities while on the bus. Students are expected to exhibit orderly conduct at all times, and bus drivers must adhere strictly to the proper protocols. Failure to follow these policies will result in accountability measures for all parties involved.

A parental hearing will be conducted to ensure that all parties are heard, and appropriate steps will be taken to resolve the situation and prevent further incidents. The Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of all students and will take corrective action based on the findings of the investigation.

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 1001 24 VIDE Investigating Incident Involving Student Removal from School Bus (1) (134 KB)

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) expresses grave concern regarding an unfortunate and unacceptable incident of violence that occurred today, involving four male students from the St. Croix Central High School. This afternoon, while traveling on Bus #27 from the high school to the Strawberry and East End areas, the students violently assaulted the bus driver, endangering not only the driver’s life but also the safety of other students on the bus.

The driver was viciously beaten in the back of his head and face, and the students shattered the glass on the bus door during the assault. The VIDE condemns this behavior in the strongest possible terms and wants to make it absolutely clear that it has a zero-tolerance policy for violence of any kind. Such actions that endanger lives, whether of school staff or students, are entirely unacceptable.

As a result of today’s incident, Bus #27 will be suspended from operation pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation. The bus sustained significant damage, and the VIDE is working closely with Abramson Enterprises Inc., the contracted bus vendor, to assess the situation.

The VIDE urges parents to speak with their children about proper behavior and respect when using school transportation. Unfortunately, verbal obscenities and aggressive conduct have become more frequent, and today’s violent assault on the bus driver was completely intolerable.

Under the Board of Education and VIDE’s policies, the students responsible for this act will be held accountable. These actions represent serious Level IV Infractions, including assault and battery, which will result in both police charges and disciplinary measures such as suspension or expulsion.

The VIDE is actively collaborating with the Virgin Islands Police Department as the investigation continues. The assaulted bus driver, who was escorted to the police station by a VIDE School Safety Manager, required medical attention and has since been transported to the hospital for further care. The VIDE will maintain contact with Abramson Enterprises regarding his status and well-being.

School bus transportation is a privilege, and it is the expectation of the VIDE that students abide by the rules and exhibit proper behavior when using these services. Recent incidents involving inappropriate student behavior on buses, including today's incident, highlight a growing concern for safety that the Department is addressing.

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 1004 24 VIDE ISSUES STATEMENT ON UNACCEPTABLE VIOLENCE ON ST CROIX SCHOOL BUS (152 KB)