For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 27, 2014
Montgomery County Council President Craig Rice and Vice President George Leventhal today sent a letter to Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Joshua Starr and the County Board of Education asking for more details about an incident earlier this week in which a 7-year-old boy was dropped off at the wrong bus stop.
“We understand from the public statements of MCPS staff that MCPS plans to investigate this incident,” Councilmembers Rice and Leventhal wrote in their letter. “The Council would also like to understand the policy implications of this event and what steps MCPS plans to take to correct any deficiencies.”
The complete text of the letter that was sent today by Councilmembers Rice and Leventhal follows:
We have followed, with great concern, the news reports of the young Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) student who was dropped off from a public school bus at the wrong bus stop earlier this week. We know that you share our concerns about the severity of this incident, the impact on the child and his family, and the importance of understanding what occurred and how to prevent its recurrence.
We understand from the public statements of MCPS staff that MCPS plans to investigate this incident. The Council would also like to understand the policy implications of this event and what steps MCPS plans to take to correct any deficiencies. Specifically, we request the following information:
How many incidents of this nature have occurred in the last three years, where MCPS students were dropped off inappropriately or otherwise left on or off a school bus in error?
What failure of protocol occurred in this specific incident on February 24?
What procedures are bus drivers and attendants instructed to follow if there is a routing mistake, or if either an employee or a student expresses concern about a student’s drop off?
What safeguards will be put in place to ensure that this type of incident is not repeated?
Thank you for your urgent attention to this critical issue and we look forward to your prompt response.
Craig Rice George Leventhal
Council President Council Vice President
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