miamijohn17....What ?

"Testimony" is an oral statement made under oath.

It seems this was a problem that has been going on for quite some time. It shouldn't have been an issue delt with only after some poor kid was traumatized. Some finger pointing should be done here before people quickly try to sweep this under the rug and make new policies. For example; if someone threw a rock through your window, wouldn't you want to punish the person who did it, instead of just ignoring who done it and make some new policy that all windows should be made shatter proof?

I agree that the bus driver was negligent in leaving the child alone, it is inexcusable, in fact. However, I would say the parents are expecting a lot of the school administration, to keep track of who goes where what day of what week....I worked in a high school office, years ago, and it was nearly impossible to keep up with everyone's needs and wishes........There was a girl who often missed her bus connection and I felt that I had to stay with her as long as it took to reach someone, or that I had to take her home myself. I could never have left a teenage girl alone in the high school corridor! BTW, I never got an inquiry from a parent, nor did I ever get a thank you!

Its the parents fault. The bus driver just drops the kid off. These people need to take some responsibility for neglecting to communicate with the school, the daycare provider and with their child.

I guess our schools have become daycares....they continue to take money from the school dep...yet they expect these people to do 100% on their jobs...I am sorry about what happened to their child but they should have a plan of action incase something like this happened.. Like maybe go to a neighbors house. I know the Gorham School dep. won't let the child off the bus unless there is someone there to meet them.

Someone needs to lose their job, before a child loses their life. I know that sounds harsh, but in the real world we all know when someone loses their job people pay attention so they themselves don't lose their job.

And the substitute bus driver knew there was no one home how? Sorry, but the parents are as much to blame as anyone, they should have communicated better.

I am surprised the daycare didn't call the boy's parents when he didn't show up. Why would they call the school? If my kids don't make it to daycare, I get a call ... usually I have forgotten to let them know of a change in plans that day. The parents should have made this expectation of a phone call clear with their daycare provider.

I feel bad for the boy, I am sure he had quite the ordeal and was very scared.

miamijohn17.....what language are you typing anyhow???

Sounds like someone at the school should take notice wake up and pay attention to detail. There is no reason for a child to be left at home if the message clearly was given to take the child to daycare. With all the perps around I shudder at the thought of my children sitting outside waiting. Heads would roll. Guaranteed.

the parents are responsible for there kids after they are done with there day at school,,,,end of story,,here we go again....

miamijohn - I finally understand where Nostradamus was coming from. He must have gone to the same writing classes as you.

This never would have happened were it not for the bus driver dropping the child off without the presence of an adult. Absoloutely, 100% bus driver error. If you disagree, then you are willing to allow YOUR child to be dropped off at a residence by themselves. It's that simple.

Folks, how about using spellcheck or a dictionary before you post? Was grammar not taught in Maine schools? Yes, this is just a forum, but your credibility goes into the toilet when you cannot spell or create understandable sentences.

Communication at all times.... my school system doesn't allow kids 4th grade and under to get off bus without seeing someone at home.. Drivers need to be able to radio or phone someone at the school for info. but the person at the school needs to be able to get all the info back to the driver... so they need to know WHERE DOES "JOHNNY JONES' live??? esp since there are alot of 'WHITE HOUSES" out there ..again again again... DRIVERS/ SCHOOL BUS COORDINATORS need to have the schooling offered each year... older children need to be reminded if no one is home and they can't get in where they need to go for help.. BUS DRIVERS NEED TRAINING AND A 2-WAY RADIO/ CELL PHONE .... here is another question for SCHOOLS... do your drivers have the childrens names/address/phone numbers/ grade and any medical condition each student may have ?? IF the bus is in an accident you need all that info... and it is LAW that you have it... so Superintendents lets get that info to the drivers and keep it UTD..

No one told the bus driver what to do with the kid, bus dirvers like the rest of us don't have xray vision or mind reading abilities and the mother didn't call and make arrangements according to the first article.

The kid's family (and others) should have put a key under a flowerpot and instructed the child on its use.

As I said when this story was first posted. I still beieve the daycare provider dropped the ball on this one. We expect to much from our school departments and bus drivers. It is a parents responsibility to provide for safe arrangements for after school (which these parents did). However the daycare provider should have followed up with a phone call to the parents to verify what the school was telling them. Our kids are older but call when they get off the bus everyday. No call within 10 minutes of expected time of arrival someone is on the way to check on them. Whether its a neighbor family friend or one of us. We can only expect so much from our school system.

Sad story with a happy ending. The same thing happened to me and my daughter here in Mass. The bus driver who had several kids NOT on the bus that day was ahead of time herself by almost 15 minutes. She dropped my daughter off at the stop where her father and I always were ( one or the other depending on schedules ) and when we showed up and parked and waited ..... and waited......until we saw our daughters bus coming back the OTHER WAY !!!! the bus driver saw us, kept going. I sent my husband home, and I waited there ( just incase), and he came back with our screaming daughter in the car, hysterical.

We went right to the office of the Principal, the secretary said to me "well, do you have an appointment?" and I replied " I DO NOW!!" We sat with the Principal, he called the bus company and I insisted she be fired. The next morning I waited with my daughter, I myself got on the bus and let the bus driver have it but good. It never happened again.

When kids are not on the buses they make time in travel, but to just drop a young child in first grade off on a major route is ridiculous. Seeing that the bus returned the same route, that would have been an option, or simply bring the children back to school. But there has been alot of instances where kids are left on buses and the bus is parked and the driver goes home. Insane....

PS......why does it always take a near tragedy or a "close call" or a "near miss" for POLICY to be changed. Here on Cape Cod these "administration personnel" and I use the term "administration" loosely, get paid so much money its ridiculous, and they sit in their offices all day and do what?

Smith and Superintendent Barry McLaughlin said that in the wake of the December incident, all bus drivers are required to see a parent or caretaker before dropping off any child in pre-kindergarten to second grade.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Simple fix.......

Good job.

How about the child going to a neighbor for help? How about some of these parents volunteerig to be 'BUS MONITOR'S' and taking responsibility for where each child is to be dropped off on each and every particular day. The bus driver has enough to do to concentrate on the road and traffic, especially with inclement weather. To place blame on the driver or the school to me is 'NOT TAKING PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY'.

The Principal of that school should be fired this morning based on the quote in the article: "We had a good plan, now we have a better plan". If she thinks that a good plan is one that makes it possible for a 5 year old to be dropped off without supervision for 3 hours during the winter, then she has no business administering a school program. Her quote sounds passive-agressive, blame-shifting and indignent. She needs to go.

Fflen44 - your post makes it sound like you blame the 5 year old for not going to the neighbors for help. That's foolish since the neighbor is an unknown (the neighbor may the town drunk for all we know). Oh and your suggestion that the 'bus driver has all they can to concentrate on the road and traffic" is unreal. If the drivers has the ability to do only those 2 things and nothing more, then they should be fired and sent to work on an assembly line somewhere, where intelligence and the ability to think is not required.

This is what happens when the State becomes the parent or caretaker or custodian or whatever term you prefer to use.

But trust me, with healthcare it will be different!

Yeah, right.

Mrnatural i think that is the language of allens coffe brandy

I for once agree with Bangorian, did I say that?

Once again people think the School District is the daycare provider of their children

Bangorian......Is that what you have for neighbors.....DRUNKS for all yolu know. Don't you know your neighbors? I'm not blaming the boy , but it was an option for him if his parents had ever explained to him what to do in such a situation.

@futuremainer

Is that the best attitude to have? Insisting people are fired and screaming at all those directly and indirectly involved?

At least in this school, they are trying to come up with realistic solutions. What does firing somebody solve? If the protocol remains the same, things won't change. Get a grip on reality. I'm not entirely dismissing the mistake, because it was a dangerous one to make but they are going to happen. Come up with solutions to ensure that the mistakes don't happen as often.

It just seems like we're all pretty quick to express our disgust but what about our gratitude? How often are children successfully dropped off at their homes, their karate practices, day cares, whatever else? I think it is unfair sometimes the way we deal with those who don't meet our expectations, especially those who are doing the things we could do for ourselves.

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

A mistake was made and hopefully there have been adjustmets made that will correct the situation. This isn't a perfect world we live in people. There will be other problems that arrise that are unforseen now. Hopefully we will be able to recognize them and make corrections.

Having a 5year old left outside is a terrible situation.

Just maybe the problem lies with society needing more and putting home values on the back burner.

When I grew up my mother was there as we got on and of the bus. Now you are lucky to see a parent around.

Our family could have used 2 incomes but having mom home was more important. And the same when we raised our children.

Having a 2 income family stucture is not a requirement all you have to do is cut back on your wants.

Reavaluate whether that second new car is worth your child well being.

I have to agree w/some posters, that the parents should have had a back up plan. This child should have had a key pinned inside his jacket, or been instructed to go to a neighbors home. This is just common sense. You need to keep reminding the child about the hidden key or going to the neighbors. When my children/grandchildren were going to school, one of the last things I'd say was, remember where your key is, or ask, who's house do you go to if no one is home? There are always going to be times when the unexpected happens or an emergency happens and no one is at home. While I certainly sympathize with this child and he should not have been out in the elements for this long, the parents have to share in the responsibility. The school is not supposed to police or be on top of where each child is going. It's impossible. Mrs. Smith has a great solution. One MORE burden for the school staff, though.

If you choose to be a bus driver 2x a day for a couple of hours in the morning, and the same amount in the afternoon, then AS YOUR JOB it is obviously the drivers responsibility to transport the child from the school to safe hands. Whether the safe hands are that of a day care center or a bus stop where there are adults waiting.

Sometimes in rural areas there are no neighbors. Had the full time driver left explicit instuctions ON THE BUS IN A JOURNAL for a review by "whoever" would be taking over in the absence of the full time driver, then the "fill in" would have known. &^$# flows downhill, its time people took accountability for their positions they so need to have.

And parents...dont be afraid to speak up to the "administration", you would be shocked what you dont know. My husband worked in the school system here on cape for 7 years, and what the public / parents dont know would just shock you all !!!. Hence... he has left and moved on. These cushy town jobs are a joke.

Maybe Indian township has it right and have monitors on the bus to handle the kids and could verify where a kid gets off on certain days.

GMouffette....truth be told if people, parents, etc.... are afraid to speak up for their kids than who do the kids have to rely on - the "inept" bus driver who doesnt give two &%$#'s what happens. Never be afraid to speak up or confront someone who is wrong and cant admit it. And its not my attitude at all, its a fact. Suppose my daughter never made it home, oh lets not upset the bus driver, oh please.People who ever and what ever their positions need to be held accountable. period.

Another child in karate for two hours? Karate doesn't even last two hours. I know this because my child participates. I hope the parent(s) disciplined the child for not following the instructions given to her TO GET ON THE BUS after school. And the day care involved with the Donahue boy--day cares typically call parents within five minutes after a child is supposed to be there but isn't--and if they can't reach a parent, they have emergency numbers to dial. I am sure she was happy to have one less child that day. I am very happy for little Shawn for his bravery and that he is going to be ok and that the school has taken immediate action. It is now time for everyone to move on. The school system here is a great one. For the record, the same type of incidences happens with nearby schools and so far, no child has been seriously hurt in any way. I hope they learn from this and make some corrections as well.

The School(s) should have a simple policy - Student's are to be delivered to thier home of record, or one other alternate destination, (daycare,etc;).

If the Student needs to be anywhere else, the parents should provide/arrange transportation - no exceptions.

You have a substitute bus driver, who does not know the kids, houses, or probably even the route that well. You have a daycare that did not inquire why one of their clients (child) wasn't in their custody, and you have parents who didn't check on their child to make sure they were okay. Everyone dropped the ball on this one. You can point fingers all day long, but everyone should be held accountable, especially the parents. The school is loco parentis, or "instead of the parents", that does not let the parents off the hook. I would be checking on the whereabouts of my child myself. I would trust no one until I had talked to everyone. Parents do not realize how difficult it is for the school to keep track of the "fluid" plans of their parents. I do agree that the new rules in effect are a great improvement over the prior system.

Actually bus monitors work well. I went to a private school for the 12 years, and every bus every day had a monitor in the back seat to do just that and well for 12 years there was never a problem atleast to my knowledge on my bus. Back then you didnt dare step out of line.

"Jocelyn Storey said her 5-year-old daughter had been dropped off at incorrect addresses eight times."

This to me screams irresponsible drivers and school administration. ONCE is a mistake, more than that and there is an obvious problem. One child EIGHT times is practically criminal. After one instance the parent should check in every day with the caretaker to make sure she was where she was supposed to be.

The fact that with so many errors it had to come to a small child with frostbite to get a policy change is incredible. Time for some new leadership, IMO.

Since when is it up to a bus driver or the school to make sure your child gets to anyplace other than their home. If you need your child to get to any location other than home that is your responsibility. Let put the responsibility where it belongs!

It is up to the school to get your child to wherever you direct them, as long as it is on a bus route. However, I don't think that parents should be able to change that every few days to suit their own needs. One drop off location, with a couple of exceptions requiring a note to the school.

I need to send a note to the school any time my child's plan changes, even when I'm picking her up.

Nightmares? Seriously? It must be horrible to be away from tv and video games for three whole hours. Parents have to take some responsibility on this one.

"and I replied " I DO NOW!!" We sat with the Principal, he called the bus company and I insisted she be fired."

Futuremainer/Mass*hole,

Please stay where you are.

Thanks in advance.

"It is up to the school to get your child to wherever you direct them, as long as it is on a bus route."

Not true, please review Maine Law:

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/Statutes/20-A/title20-Asec5401.html

Schools have to provide Elementary Transportation(shall). Transportaton for secondary students in a MSU is optional (may).

The law also states for all students that they be delivered "a part of or the whole distance". Delivery to home or other locationas directed by parents is not mandated.

The School could designate one or two drop off Locations in a Town or neighborhood and be in compliance, even for elementary students.

Title 20A Part3 S5401:

§5401. Transportation

The transportation of public school students shall be governed as follows. [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Municipal school units. The superintendent of schools in a municipal school unit shall, with the approval of the school board, provide transportation for elementary school students and public preschool students a part of or the whole distance to and from the nearest suitable elementary school. The municipality may provide transportation for secondary level students.

[ 2007, c. 572, Pt. A, §2 (AMD) .]

2. School administrative district. The superintendent of schools in a school administrative district shall, with the approval of the school board, provide transportation for:

A. Elementary school students and public preschool students a part of or the whole distance to and from the nearest suitable school; and [2007, c. 572, Pt. A, §3 (AMD).]

B. Secondary school students a part of or the whole distance to the district's secondary school or to and from the secondary school in the school administrative unit or units with which the district has contracted for secondary school privileges. The school board may provide transportation for secondary school students attending other secondary schools. [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

In the first comment posted, miamijohn17 - you are making no sense!

I'm still baffled at the fact that the mother had made arrangements for the boy to go to day-care for the whole week after school. Stated above, just read it. Well, when the boy didn't show up at day-care, and they KNEW he was supposed to be there, they called the school and was told he was dropped off home. Did they ask the school if the mother had called and changed the plans? Or did they just say OK fine and "assume" that plans had changed without follow-up. I'm sorry, but a responsible adult in the business of child care you would think someone would have at least been suspicious. And why didn't the school wonder why the day-care provider was calling about this boy asking why he didn't get dropped off there like they were expecting? I understand that schools can't be chasing all the kids around all the time, but my god, I would think if anybody cared someone would've thought something was wrong and made some calls. He's only 5 and in no way capable of taking care of himself when adults drop the ball. And west, don't try the same bullcrap "the mother should know where her child is 26 hours a day and should call the school 100 times a day". She made arrangements before hand and nothing was supposed to change on her part.

Good points GMouffette!

parents are at fault. STOP always trying to put blame elsewhere.

Futuremainer -- there have been plenty of bus drivers I have known that care greatly about the students on their bus routes and pride themselves in being able to make sure those kids are safe and delivered to and from where they need to be. Just because you had a negative experience (or two) with your child's bus driver in Mass does not mean that ALL bus drivers are that way. How about laying off them for a bit!

whatmeworry--great point, BUT...Had the day care provider actually called the school regarding the boy when he didn't arrive, like she orginally stated she did, but then couldn't remember who she spoke to... Not the first story she's told.

I feel very sad for the child in this story! All the adults in this situation could have prevented this small child this horrifying experience! I know in my heart that if I was not standing at the end of my driveway at noon to get my 5 yr old off the bus my regular bus driver would take him with her but when i think of a sub driver? I am not sure i can say the samething! Thats why I make sure everyday that i am at the end of my driveway for him. Because of this story i will make sure i have a couple back up plans.

I know if my son didn't show up at daycare on any given day, I received a call almost immediately. My school department sends home a paper at the beginning of the year pertaining to the busses in particular. They ask if you would like your child dropped off whether or not someone can be seen, what color your house is, if your child goes to daycare and if so, what days. They also ask for names and numbers of neighbors for a back-up. The plan is very detailed but unfortunately is not fool-proof. My son was dropped off when no one was home and although he is a couple years older than this boy, we have a plan on where to go if no one is home, and he followed it. I of course believe the bus driver and school are responsible for dropping him off alone, why wasn't there an emergency plan in place? I would think an officer of the law and domestic abuse counselor would be better prepared. If this child was smart enough and resourceful enough to attempt breaking into the house, I am sure he could have followed and emergency plan.

can any one spell "c-o-n-t-i-n-g-e-n-c-y p-l-a-n?" I'm not blaming parents school or bus driver. but anyone caring for young children needs to know that things don't always go according to plan, and that children must have an alternative plan. suppose the bus driver did everything correctly, and the person who was home met the child at the curb where the bus dropped him. then, on the way into the house this person dropped dead. Same result, boy outside with no adult supervision. Should the driver have waited until both adult and child had entered the home? Should he check to be sure the person at the bus drop was actually a parent? , should he go inside and make sure the home is safe, has heat, and food?

children should have access to a spare key (hence the term latchkey children) parents should devise a plan that they impart to their children about what to do when Mommy and Daddy are not available (our school here in Whiting demands children have alternate guardians in case the school is unable to reach parents) They should be told to go to a close trusted neighbor, or relative if mommy and daddy are delayed or unavailable. He had a phone in our (unlocked) garage for emergencies. Finally children, even very young children, should be taught what to do if they are cold and wet in the winter, and they have no access to "indoors" after all, this is the frost belt, and these things are bound to happen.

Better to teach children how to survive in tough situations, then to depend on an orderly chain of events.

How can it be the parents fault when they wanted the boy dropped off at daycare every day that week? And why didn't the daycare provider call the parents instead of the school to find out where the boy was? And when they did call the school and were told that the boy was dropped off at home, why didn't the school and the daycare provider call the parents to find out if he should have been dropped off at school?

In this case, everyone else was to blame except for the parents. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. The bus driver, daycare provider and school official who took the call from the daycare provider are all to blame!

gourmetgal

If I'm understanding this story it is solely about an irresponsible bus driver! Its all about opinion and lifes experiences!

Maybe the parents should do what I do everyday. Every morning I talk with the bus driver where my children should be at after school. Not only do I talk with the driver but I call the school as well & e-mail the teachers. It helps to keep in touch with everybody. My children are reminded every morning where they should be after school. My children are ages 10 & 6 and they bus driver will NOT let them off at the bus stop unelss myself or my husband are there.

When I give someone a ride I make sure the can get indoors before I leave. That is called consideration for a fellow human being in these harse winter days. It is dangerous to be left outdoors in a Maine winter. Adults, homeless, broken vehicles, you name it your going to freeze outside. The poor children that have to fend for themselves with all of us acting like we are to busy to make sure the child is going to be safe. I see children with no coats , gloves just in sneakers and their parents look like they need a lotery ticket or a pack of smokes. How about adults all of us being more mindfull of the children their real needs like being safe and loved. As for you people that live alone better to have a spare key somewhere hidden than freeze to death.

Like all of you I feel bad for the kid too. But he will be fine, he will get over it. The kid was scared I get it...but I am sure if it happened again he would learn either how to get into the house or finally go introduce himself to the neighbors where he could go wait for his parents to come home. We can't prevent everything from happening...it's called growing up. It's what we teach the children and what they learn to do in different situations that makes the difference.

miamijohn17 - Please don't yell at me. I don't even know you. I don't yell at you.

. ' ' ' WORLD OF IMAGINATION ' ' '

. . . BLAME school to what needs to be learn of to what you know with what you don't know,

. . Readers keep blaming parents as excuse for there action of pleasure that deals with the treasure,

. . . Can you blame BALDACCI of this now for the action, is this to be ignored as,

. . Who's fault is it if you don't know to how safe it is in your neightborhood,

. . . With the school to blame the parents is optional on intake,

. . WITH M. L.K. SAYING 'WE ALL HAVE A DREAM'

WITH ALL OF YOU READER CAN SAY WHAT EVER CROSS YOU MIND, AS TO EXPRESS YOUR CONCERN AS DOGOOD WITH HIS COFFEE BRANDY, WITH WHICH YOU ARE YOU MRNATURAL OR MRWIZARD HOW DOROTHY WITH MR. TIN MAN DOING OF THE SCARECROW OF THE GREENWITCH = REMARK OF CONSUMPTION COULD BE INTERESTINS .

On 1/6/10 at 9:19 AM, CrazyVet wrote:

"It is up to the school to get your child to wherever you direct them, as long as it is on a bus route."

Not true, please review Maine Law:

The School could designate one or two drop off Locations in a Town or neighborhood and be in compliance, even for elementary students.

RIght, and said designated location being ON THE BUS ROUTE is where the bus should drop off the children. If a kid lives up a road the bus does not travel, as in off the bus route, then it will not deliver the kid there.

Typical response from parents nowadays... blame the system for their own lack of parental responsibility. Its not the job of the school to be a taxi service and drive kids to soccer one day, day care on another etc etc etc. Driving kids to any other destination OTHER than home should NOT be the responsibility of the school. As a taxpayer, I already pay enough. Let the parents arrange the after school care for their kids.

Miamijoh, your comment makes no sense. This little boy had frostbite and has suffered from nightmares. The school should pay for counseling for him. They should also be sued.

Changing school policy is not enough here. The school should make some kind of amends to this family for what happened.

downeastdave, the parents did arrange for the boy to be dropped off at a daycare; the bus driver made a mistake and brought him to the home where no one was. He was supposed to go to the daycare place, which the parents had already arranged with the school to do.

Let's break this down (for those of you trying to make excuses for the school department): What we are talking about is a school secretary writing down the parents' directions as to where the kids should be dropped off after school. Then the bus drivers use a written list to guide them as they make their rounds (might slow them down a bit to check the list, but too many bus drivers are way too interested in just getting rid of all the kids as fast as they can, anyway. They speed all the time. This would slow them down a bit). Then the kids get off the bus where they're supposed to.

What part of this sounds too complicated? If it was YOUR job to do this (either the office part or the bus part), do you think that YOU could do it?? If so, then why are you making excuses for this school department?

Just one more sign that our schools are a total mess and can't do even the BASIC things very well any more! Administrators are ALWAYS safe, though.... same with anyone in the union.

(From an ex teacher).......

PARENTS ARE AT FAULT,STOP TRYING TO PASS THE BUCK.....

If I remember right, when I went to school, we ALL had name tags until

we/I was like in the third grade, with information as to where I lived, etc.

That name tag needs to be dated or updated EVERYday AND signed

by a parent EVERYday! A child should NOT be allowed on a bus unless

a child HAS such a tag!!

And when a child is being dropped off at home, before that child is let

off the bus, the bus driver should ask the child if he/she knows that

person there waiting!!

It really is ALL about common sense folk!!!

I also want to add that the posters who are saying this is one of many reasons why parents should try to have one of them home fulltime (meaning putting your kids at the top of the priority ladder) are exactly right. There are CONSEQUENCES to getting rid of the social norm that two people who make a baby will get married and live together, or that money and income are not as important as having healthy, safe kids. (My previous post still stands........the reality is that for some families sometimes a parent CAN'TT be home).

The daycare could have done more too. Period.

User5225, that's so nice of you to dismiss what was in all likellihood a traumatic event for this little guy as "just one of those things". Hope you don't have any kids.

It's pretty easy to be tough when you're not 5, isn't it?

Why does everyone think that the schools are supposed to raise their children. Having a "police officer" for a father and a "domestic violence victim's advocate" for a mother One would think there would have been an emergency plan taught to this child, like a key put somewhere for him and directives. Phone calls should never be accepted for bus changes unless it is a dire emergency. Why not just have your kid dropped off at daycare everyday and when you are home either pick him up at school or drive to the daycare to get him. The whole lax policy that parents take advantage of is ridiculous. Imagine these changes in a school of 500. Not gonna happen. By the time children are in school (besides preK) they should know exactly what to do in an instance like this. When I started school we weren't allowed to enter if certain information was unknown. Parents, teach your kids. He was obviously clever enough to try to get in several different ways, so I am sure he could've gotten a key walked in and used the telephone. Seems to me everyone EXCEPT the bus driver and the child were irresponsible. As long as there isn't a mandatory age that children are allowed home alone, a school department cannot force an adult to be present at drop off. People commenting need to sit in a school office all day and see just how many transportation changes are made over the phone in one day. It is ridiculous really. Like I said in the last article. No changes without a note.

fllen44!!! You do realize that this is a rural area and the neighbor doesn't live 100 feet next door.

I don't know how long Scott Harriman has been in Bailleyville but when he was Town Manager of Machias they already had in place that no child could be left if no one was home. Back in 1998 I believe. It should be like that everywhere. Our children are our most precious investment in the future and when they're that young we (grownups) really need to be there for them.

Maybe young children should wear ID badges with their parents' contact info and the address where they're to be dropped off. And if there's no adult at the curb, young children should be taken back back to school.

maybe parents should step up,this is your child,try to put the kid ahead of the job and all the extras needed....Children are top priority or should be before your job,don't blame the system look in the mirror

The parents should have a plan in place, much like the one they should have in place incase the house catches on fire, with their child(ren) so that everyone is on the same plane. The little boy was intelligent enough to take a shovel and try to break into the house, or to try to dig a hole under the garage door, so I am sure that he could handle and remember the back up plan for being "home alone." The daycare provider needs to be included in the plan and if both parents work, I am sure they carry cellphones, and or have work telephone numbers, that the daycare provider should have called besides the school. Maybe this is their first child and their first lesson but now is the time to implement the plan that will be in place from now until this student, child, graduates from school. Regular bus drivers have many students on the bus at once and some of these children are going to 2, 3, and even 4 different places in one week. Put a substitute on a bus who doesn't even know these children's names and mistakes can be made. Parents who are supposed to be home might not be, mom might have gone to Walmart and it took longer to get through the checkout that she anticipated, these are only 2 of many things that can go wrong that a bus driver cannot fix while driving a school bus. We've had parents ask bus drivers to drop their kids off last because they cannot afford daycare and they canot get home before the bus gets there. How many houses are behind trees or hedges or fences? Do you people want to sit behind a stopped school bus with red lights flashing while a child walks to their house to check to see if someone is home? Then continue waiting while they come back to the bus to tell the busdriver the outcome of their findings? You'd better not be in a hurry as the younger a student is the smaller the steps and the slower they are. What about the mom who calls the school 2 times in one week and asks them to tell the driver that she'll be there in 5 minutes. Can they wait? Then if they spend more time taking care of "Johnny" than usual, what about the father waiting at the end of his driveway waiting for his child so that he can drop them off at daycare because he has a meeting. What does he think when the bus doesn't arrive at its usual time? Some people who have posted here have certainly put little thought into what actually happens on a bus run in the course of a day. Be thankful that the school came up with a legitimate policy and how it wants a similar situation handled in the future. More schools need to take similar action as I know not all school have a policy in place that requires a bus driver to actually see someone in the door or window or yard. Lesson taught, lesson learned!!

debutante... There should be abolutely NO multiple choice destinations. The kids get dropped off at home and thats it... When you have the kid dropped aat one place one week and somewhere else the next... not only can mistakes occur but thats using the school bus as a taxi. The bus driver made a mistake yes, but the real responsibility lies with the parents. If I were on the school board, I would change the rules. The kids get dropped off at home ONLY... no exceptions, no alternatives, no more mistakes!

Maybe after the school get's done with boot licking and falling on their sword they'll wake up. It is pathetic this spectacle has gone this far.

What happened to the child is the PARENT'S responsibility and no one else.

All the years my kids rode the bus we had a plan for the inevitable contingency they might arrive home and the house would be locked. It's a NO BRAINER. Make sure they have a key to get in DUH. We also gave them cell phones. We also called to check.

Making school officials grovel, and the fact that they ARE groveling is a nauseating spectacle to say the least.

The school met it's obligation to deliver the child to his home safely. From that point on it was the PARENTS obligation to assume care.

THE PARENTS OF THIS CHILD SHOULD STOP TRYING TO PASS THE BUCK TO ASSUAGE THEIR GUILT. They should thank the hand of God for sparing them a more tragic outcome and, most of all, learn from this near tragedy and take steps to prevent similar tragedies.

There is enough blame to go around....and a few mistakes were made. People thinking that the bus driver should be fired over this are crazy. The bus driver made a mistake, the daycare made a mistake....very bad that it happened, but mistakes do occur.

You would be amazed at what people believe schools should be doing "my 17 year old kid has three 0s on homework and nobody called me to tell me they were missing work"

#1) the KID IS SEVENTEEN

#2) all of the info is online

People need to take more responsibility

Bangorian if you haven't driven a school bus, you don't understand at all. I did once and to be honest, no amount of money would get me to do it again, I don't care if it meant every kid in my town or state didn't get an education, if I was last bus driver on earth. I never heard so much complaining and double standards in my life as I did doing that job. I wasn't watching little Johnny enough and he got picked on/I was watching little Johnny too much and what was I a pervert?picking on Johnny? Little Johnny was usually the mean bully like his parents.

Teachers,principles, superintendants, parents and police would drive right by the flashing read lights in the school yards while kids were getting on/off the buses and complain if I didn't do something about it and complain if I did. The kids knew cars are suppose to stop and would cross in front of the buses thinking it was safe.

One time a a person taking their road test for their drivers license started to go around the bus at the school, following teachers and parents, etc. example. I stuck my hand out the window to stop them I had no idea it was someone taking their road test, not that it mattered to me, the state officer doing the road test got on my bus and screamed at me because he was going to let her drive through and flunk her. I told him I wasn't going to let him allow her to accidently kill a kid so he can flunk her. This idiot was going to let that girl maybe run some kids over so he could flunk her. What I knew was it was my job, to watch traffic and protect to the kids from injury as best as I can and this egotistical jerk thought I was screwing with him. If I hadn't stopped her he could have pulled my license for not doing my job..And thats a thimbleful of the B.S. of bus driving.

I still remember when my daughter and three of her friends were dropped off in a snow storm because the bus driver couldn't make it up the hill where we lived. This was a spring snow storm and they hadn't gone to school prepared for it.

I agree a telephone call is not always the safest. When my children were 5 yrs. old the parent had to pin a note with today's date to the clild's clothing everyday with the # of the bus they were to take after school, their complete name and address and contact telephone number and where they were to be dropped off. Then it was the teacher's responsibility to put them on the correct bus and the bus driver's responsibility to make sure they got dropped off where the note said. Parents in those days met their children at the bus or had someone meet them. If a parent cannot be at the bus or have a responsible party there for a 5 yr. old the least they should do is call the day care to make sure their child arrived safely. The teacher and bus driver always counted as the children got on the bus as well. They knew if someone was missing or there was one too many on the bus.

ummm not sure i want to even comment but i can't help it. some on here blame the parents, some blame the daycare. i've read the sotry twice. the mother told the school he was to go to daycare every day that week. the daycare called the school when he didn't show. how have either one of them dropped the ball? furthermore, for the one who said parents are responsible after school, i agree, what i don't agree with is, he was on the bus. that makes him still in the custody and care of school employee. my driver always made sure my front door opened and waved goodbye. i'm glad she did. now i do agree that the parents should have some sort of emergency plan. like the key. however with every single day more and more homes being robbed i can see why they wouldn't want to leave a key right there.

It takes a village to raise a sound child. Communication is key. Parents be diligent and communicate with your child everyday about what's going on that day. If they are not old enough to understand and speak up, then you must communicate to everyone involved in the chain, daily! You can never be tooo safe with children.

Who is to blame, I don't know. I just know my five year old does not ride the bus for other reasons. Where else can one adult be responsible for the behavior of all those children? Is that ratio allowed in the school? I don't think so. A bus drivers main job is to drive and keep the kids safe. At the same time they are supposed to stop bullying and make sure no one is getting hurt or destroying anything on the bus. How in the world can they see what is going on in the back of the bus? Also they are responsible for knowing where each kid is being dropped off and if there are changes to that schedule. WAAAYYYYYYY to much for one person. My child does not and will not ride the bus. Unstructured time is difficult for many children and bus rides are unstructured and (in my opinion) poorly supervised. Not because the bus drives are bad, but because it is impossible with the ration of one adult to that many kids.

oops, ratio*

Personally I go back to the babysitter. If the child was not dropped off at the bus stop of the baby sitter, then I call the school and find out he took

the bus home and is not at school.

And I find the school is telling me that he is to be at home, and then the parents have told me the babysitter I am supposed to have him all week... as a

responsible babysitter I would of been calling the parents and asking is this true? Or should he be dropped off at home, my understanding from the school is he was dropped off at home?

Especially if I call the home and no answer!

I would be calling one of the parents right away!

The parents also should of taken a note to not only the school but to the bus driver and the person who is responsible for the bus system there.

Letting them know of this.

This way all points are covered!

Babysitter, bus system and bus drivers and schools.

This is what we did with my son always!

All parties to me are a little at fault with this in my opinion.. all the way around..

And their new system, I don't know sounds like there may be a glitch in that as well.. eventually.