After reports of abuse on a Littleton Public Schools (LPS) school bus, safety changes may soon be implemented within the district. The LPS Board of Education is considering recommendations from a special transportation task force consisting of parents, district staff, and experts. Parents demanded action after surveillance footage showed a school bus paraprofessional hitting a boy with autism. The alleged abuse occurred multiple times over six months, leading to charges against the paraprofessional involved. As a result, a task force was formed to propose policy changes surrounding bus surveillance and monitoring.
The task force recommended that bus footage be retained for a minimum of 30 days and 180 days for non-verbal students, with regular reviews of the footage. However, some parents, including Jessica Vestal, whose son was a victim of the abuse, are calling for more accountability. They want the bus drivers who were present during the incidents to also be held responsible. Vestal expressed concerns about the lack of oversight and the need for transparency in ensuring the safety of all students on school buses.
While some changes have been proposed, Vestal and other parents are temporarily stepping away from the task force until there is complete accountability. Despite their own children likely not riding the bus again, they emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety of all students who rely on district transportation. The issue has sparked a larger conversation about the responsibility of school districts in safeguarding vulnerable students and the need for greater oversight in such situations.
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