Texas School Bus Incident: Alleged Unusual Punishment Amid Sweltering Heat

A Texas school bus driver is under investigation for allegedly punishing students by driving slowly with windows up in 100-degree heat.

At a Glance

The incident occurred on Aug. 22 in Sealy, Texas.
Students were subjected to extreme heat as a form of punishment.
A video shows children pleading with the driver to open the windows.
The bus driver allegedly only allowed herself cooling via a personal fan.

Allegations of Child Endangerment on a Texas School Bus

An investigation is underway after allegations emerged against a Sealy Independent School District bus driver for endangering children by driving slowly with windows rolled up during 100-degree heat. This incident, which took place on August 22 in Sealy, Texas, has sparked concerns among parents and community members about the safety and health risks posed to students.

The bus driver, who remains unnamed, is accused of using extreme heat conditions as a form of punishment against the students. A video recording shows the driver stopping mid-route, instructing children to roll up the windows. The driver had reportedly first dropped off her own daughter before beginning the punishing route.

The only form of air conditioning on the bus was a personal fan used by the driver. As temperatures soared to 103 degrees, children on board cried and pleaded for a faster driving speed and for the windows to be opened. However, their requests were ignored.

A Texas school bus driver is accused of driving slowly during a scorching hot day and making students put up the windows on an un-air-conditioned vehicle. https://t.co/xXJmUOOtJj

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 28, 2024

Community Outrage and Legal Considerations

The video captured students complaining about the unbearable heat and asking to be taken home quicker. The bus driver allegedly drove only three miles in a 30-minute duration. Coshenna Smith, the mother of two children who were on the bus, is being represented by civil rights attorney Harry Daniels.

“People are arrested all the time because they accidentally subjected their children to these conditions while they ran into a gas station,” said Daniels. “This woman intentionally put these children at risk for more than half an hour during a 103-degree heat advisory and no one has done anything.”

Smith’s daughter, who has chronic asthma, struggled to breathe during the ordeal, while her son was drenched in sweat and had to remove his shirt. Daniels has sharply criticized the driver’s actions, labeling them as intentional child endangerment.

Texas Bus Driver Accused of “Torturing” Students By Slow-Rolling in Extreme Heat https://t.co/S4J1L0ophU pic.twitter.com/0NLNEKndAv

— The Root (@TheRoot) August 27, 2024

Actions and Responses from the School District

Superintendent Bryan Hallmark addressed reports indicating a lack of air conditioning on buses and confirmed that the driver had stopped for 2 minutes and 20 seconds to deal with a student sticking his head out of the window. The district has now adjusted bus routes to reduce time on dirt roads and ensure quicker commutes for students. Despite the significant outcry, there have been no reported investigations from district or municipal police into the incident.

“We take these concerns very seriously,” Hallmark stated. “The reality is it does get hot on our buses down here, especially in August. Thankfully, now we’re experiencing cooler temperatures.”

Additional sources indicate that parents in Sealy, Texas, are demanding that the bus driver be fired and possibly charged with child endangerment. In response to the incident, the Sealy ISD removed the driver from the route, although she remains employed by the district.

🚨🇺🇸TEXAS SCHOOL BUS DRAMA: SAFETY VS HEAT AS STUDENTS SUFFER

A Texas school bus driver is under fire for making students close windows during extreme heat.

Video shows students begging for relief, but there's more to the story.

The driver reportedly instructed students to… pic.twitter.com/lXUSZObEbc

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 28, 2024

Conclusion: Child Safety Should Be Paramount

This case underscores the need for strict adherence to student safety policies, particularly during extreme weather conditions. With legal actions currently being considered against the school district, this incident serves as a stark reminder to prioritize the well-being of children above all else.

“She needs to be terminated,” Daniels said of the driver.

The ongoing investigation will likely determine the future course of action, hopefully ensuring that such incidents do not recur and that school transportation remains a safe environment for all students.