Bus Driver Accused of Treating Students Inhumanely in Extreme Heat

A Texas school bus driver faces calls for termination and criminal charges after being accused of subjecting students to extreme heat as punishment.

At a Glance

Incident occurred on August 22 in Sealy, Texas, with temperatures reaching 103 degrees
Driver accused of driving slowly and forcing students to close windows on a bus without air conditioning
Parents report children struggling to breathe and crying due to the extreme heat
School district superintendent acknowledges concerns but denies driver was punishing students
Attorneys for affected families considering legal action against the school district

Scorching Bus Ride Sparks Outrage

On a sweltering August day in Sealy, Texas, what should have been a routine school bus ride reportedly turned into a nightmare for students. The incident, which occurred on August 22 when temperatures soared to 103 degrees, has led to calls for the driver’s dismissal and potential criminal charges.

According to attorneys representing affected families, the bus driver allegedly subjected students to extreme heat by driving slowly and not allowing them to open windows on a bus without air conditioning. The situation escalated when the driver reportedly stopped on a dirt road and instructed children to roll up their windows, despite the oppressive heat.

School bus driver ‘drove slowly with windows up on 100 degree day to punish children’ https://t.co/be5KMDdXbc pic.twitter.com/4wHD5Canhz

— Independent Lifestyle (@IndyLife) August 29, 2024

Children’s Distress and Parents’ Concerns

Parents report that their children were in significant distress during the incident. Coshenna Smith, a mother of two children on the bus, claims her 11-year-old daughter with chronic asthma was crying and struggling to breathe, while her son’s shirt was soaked with sweat.

“This isn’t punishment. It’s torture and it’s child endangerment,” attorney Harry Daniels said in the news release.

A video shared by attorneys shows children complaining about the heat and difficulty breathing. The lawyers allege that it took the driver 30 minutes to drive just 3 miles, exacerbating the students’ discomfort.

School District’s Response

Sealy Independent School District Superintendent Bryan Hallmark has acknowledged concerns about the lack of air conditioning and reports of windows being kept up. However, he denies that the driver was punishing students, stating that the bus stopped for 2 minutes and 20 seconds to address a student discipline issue.

“The driver was driving a speed that they felt was safe on a dirt road,” Superintendent Bryan Hallmark said.

In response to the incident, the school district has adjusted bus routes to reduce time on unpaved roads and get students home quicker. Hallmark emphasized that the district takes these concerns seriously and noted that cooler temperatures have since arrived.

Potential Legal Action

Attorneys representing the affected families are considering legal action, including a possible civil lawsuit against the school district. They argue that the driver’s actions constituted extreme endangerment of the children’s well-being.

As the community grapples with this disturbing incident, many are calling for a thorough investigation and appropriate consequences for those responsible. The safety and well-being of students during transportation remain paramount concerns for parents and school officials alike.