KCSD statement: district ‘dismayed and disgusted’
By Kim Chiomento, News Editor, The Times
KENNETT SQUARE – The Kennett Consolidated School District and other authorities are investigating exactly how a seven-year-old student was left on a Krapf-owned school van for more than five hours unattended, on March 31.
KCSD issued a press release today, after alerting district parents to the issue, informing residents of an egregious safety violation involving a student transported by the District’s private transportation contractor – Krapf Bus Company.
According to KCSD’s April 7 press release:
“On Tuesday, March 31st at approximately 8:30 a.m., a Krapf Bus Company yellow school van picked up the student, the only passenger on the vehicle. The licensed driver’s sole responsibility that day was to pick up the student in the morning and then, about 3:00 p.m., drive the student home from school. Unfortunately, the driver instead drove the van to Krapf’s Kennett Square depot, parked, and never realized until five-plus hours later that he had left the student onboard.
“Clearly, the driver, who had the necessary child-check clearances, violated Krapf’s rules requiring the vehicle to be checked for passengers before and after use. He also failed to demonstrate any common sense and rest assured will never again transport a KCSD student. The student was only discovered after the District, following a conversation with the student’s mother, alerted Krapf. Words cannot express our level of dismay and disgust when learning what happened. We have directed Krapf to reinstruct all operators regarding their responsibilities for our children, and we will defer to the authorities regarding any actions they may take. Internally, we are reviewing our absence-from-school notification procedures to see what could have been handled differently.”
In a note to parents, KCSD Superintendent, Barry Tomasetti wrote, “…Any incident, accidental or otherwise, that compromises safety in our District – within or outside of a school building – is one too many.…Thankfully, the seven-year-old student involved was unharmed. I have personally apologized to the student, the student’s family, and I now extend that apology to our entire KCSD community. While so fortunate that the student was not harmed, that in no way excuses what happened and the actions of those responsible. Please understand our absolute need to protect the privacy of the student and family, and that the situation, which occurred right before spring break, remains under investigation, including by law enforcement authorities.”
The Times contacted Krapf’s School Bus Company, and were referred to Shawn McGlinchey in the Krapf’s Safety Department. Shawn was unwilling to speak with The Times; but did provide the following statement via press release:
“The Krapf School Bus Company has safely transported the students of Chester County for over 72 years. Through our quality drivers we provide excellent service to the students, the parents and the school districts we serve. With regards to the Kennett student left on the bus the matter is under investigation and we are working closely with the Kennett Area School District and the local authorities. All Krapf drivers are subjected to rigorous background checks prior to hire, including the driver involved in this incident. The driver involved in this matter has been terminated. Shawn McGlinchey of our Safety Department is our point of contact and may be reached at 1.610.594.2664.”
