Students headed to Howard Middle School in northeast Atlanta discovered an unauthorized woman sleeping in the back of their school bus Monday morning, prompting Atlanta Public Schools to review how she was able to get aboard.
WSB-TV reported that the driver had already completed an earlier high-school route and stopped before beginning the middle-school pickup. A parent said the woman apparently entered the bus while the driver was away.
The woman left without incident
Students did not initially notice the woman sleeping near the rear of the bus. Once she was discovered, district officials said the unauthorized passenger was removed without incident.
APS said it is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident and placed the driver on leave under district protocol while that review is underway. The leave should not be read as a final disciplinary finding.
Parent Beth Carter told WSB the discovery was frightening because the bus was already carrying children when students realized someone they did not know was aboard.
APS says it is reviewing security procedures
The district said it is evaluating transportation procedures and possible safety adjustments. The initial reporting did not identify the woman or indicate that she was accused of threatening or harming a student.
The next update should clarify how long the bus was unattended, what rules apply when drivers step away between routes and whether APS changes its bus-security procedures as a result.
