DAYTON, Ohio — Dayton Public Schools has implemented a new approach to dealing with policy violators following a violent assault on a district bus driver. Interim Superintendent Dr. David Lawrence announced that the previous protocol of issuing trespass notices and involving the police only for subsequent violations has been replaced with a more proactive strategy.
Under the new policy, the district will immediately involve the police and file criminal charges for any policy violations. This change comes in response to the safety and security concerns of Dayton Public Schools employees, particularly bus drivers, in the wake of the recent attack.
The district identified examples of violations that would warrant police involvement, including unauthorized individuals boarding a bus, threatening employees, and being on district property without permission.
The decision to revise the protocol follows an incident where a mother boarded a bus at Emerson Academy and attacked the driver, alleging that her child had been purposefully left at the bus stop. The altercation, captured on video, showed the mother physically assaulting the driver, resulting in her indictment on one count of felonious assault.
The superintendent’s statement emphasized the district’s commitment to enhancing the safety and security of all employees, with a specific focus on safeguarding bus drivers. The new policy represents a proactive step towards addressing and preventing similar incidents in the future.
In light of the recent assault and the district’s response, Dayton Public Schools is taking a firm stance on policy violations, seeking to prioritize the safety and well-being of its employees.