At a Glance
- Students were filmed sitting and lying on the floor of a wheelchair-accessible school bus.
- The bus had only a few seats because the regular bus was being repaired.
- JYK Discovery Charter School blamed the School District of Philadelphia for transportation.
- Why it matters: Parents say the arrangement was unsafe and are demanding guarantees it will not happen again.
A Philadelphia grandmother is demanding answers after discovering her grandchildren and other students were riding to JYK Discovery Charter School on a bus with almost no seats, forcing children to sit or lie on the floor.
Novelette Phillips told News Of Philadelphia she first learned of the situation when her grandson FaceTimed her during the ride. “I noticed he was sitting on the floor,” Phillips said, adding that the call occurred on what she believes was the first day of the problem, possibly Monday.
On Wednesday, Phillips picked up her young ones at the bus stop and recorded video that shows students sitting and lying on the floor of a wheelchair-accessible bus. “I’m upset. This is a very unsafe situation. It’s reckless, negligent-kids should not be sitting on the floor traveling on the bus,” she said.
When Phillips asked the driver why there were no seats, he told her his regular bus was being repaired and the replacement vehicle had no seats installed. “He explained his bus was being repaired, and this is the bus they gave him, and there were no seats,” Phillips recalled.
School and District React
JYK Discovery Charter School issued a statement expressing outrage and placing responsibility on the School District of Philadelphia:
> “The leadership of JYK Discovery Charter School is outraged by the description of how students were reportedly treated. If accurate, that conduct is unacceptable. The safety and dignity of our students is paramount, and no child should ever be placed in that position.
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> That said, JYK Discovery Charter School does not control or operate student transportation. Transportation for our students is provided through the School District of Philadelphia, which bears legal responsibility for transportation services. Any inquiries regarding the circumstances of the reported bus incident must be directed to the School District of Philadelphia.
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> School leadership will not be providing an interview or additional comment on this matter.”
The School District of Philadelphia confirmed it is investigating:
> “We are aware of the allegations. The Transportation Department is conducting an investigation into this matter and taking corrective action with Durham School Bus Services.”
James O Connor Fields contacted Durham School Bus Services, the company that supplied the bus. A spokesperson said management was meeting with the school district but offered no further details.
Parent Demands
Phillips says she wants a full explanation of how the situation was allowed to happen and what steps will be taken to prevent a repeat. “I would have preferred: You just canceled the route, and we come pick up our kids instead of you driving our kids across the city, sitting on the floor of a school bus,” she said. “Totally unacceptable, negligent, and very reckless.”
Key Takeaways
- Students rode on the bus floor because a replacement vehicle lacked seats.
- The charter school says the district controls transportation.
- The district says it is investigating and taking corrective action with its bus vendor.
- Parents want guarantees of safe seating on every route.
