LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Clark County School District student’s school bus reportedly broke down in Henderson on Monday, with smoke billowing from the bus, prompting renewed concerns from parents about student safety and recurring transportation problems.
FOX5 obtained video of the incident, which was sent by a CCSD parent who said their student was aboard the bus when it broke down on the way to school.
Ian Gregory, a CCSD parent, said smoke was coming from the bus while students were on board. According to Gregory, students were coughing and asking to get off the bus but were told they could not leave.
“There was smoke coming out of the engine compartment of the bus,” Gregory said. “It was affecting the kids. Some of the kids were coughing. The kids asked to get off the bus. We’re told that they weren’t allowed off the bus.”
Gregory said students were asked to remain on the bus for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
“I mean, besides the smoke in the passenger compartment, what if a fire had started or something like that?” Gregory said. “Why would they hold them on the bus? Why were they not allowed to get off?”
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He acknowledged that mechanical problems can happen but questioned the decision to keep students on board.
“We understand buses break down, but why would you put the kids into further danger?” Gregory said.
FOX5 contacted CCSD twice for information about the incident, including what happened, what safety protocols apply, and whether those protocols were followed. The district did not confirm those details.
Instead, CCSD provided the following statement:
“As CCSD operates more than 1,600 bus routes every day across the county, we also experience periodic concerns such as traffic jams, mechanical problems, and employee absences that can affect service.”
Gregory said the bus was also approximately an hour late that day, causing students to miss first period. He said transportation-related tardiness has been a recurring issue this school year.
Gregory said his student has been marked tardy 12 times since the school year began nearly two months ago. He said the tardies have been recorded as unexcused.
“So now there’s a pile of unexplained tardy records on his record because the bus was late,” Gregory said.
Gregory’s wife also expressed concern about the potential consequences of those records, saying his student plans to join the military.
“But he’s going to be joining the military and, you know, they’re going to analyze his background,” Gregory said. “And if they see any truancy there, that’s a concern.”
As working parents, Gregory said his family relies on school transportation. He said that after his student arrives at school late, he must visit the front office to obtain a late pass, delaying his arrival to history class even further.
Gregory said his family did not receive notification from the district about the bus incident. Instead, he said they learned what was happening through frantic text messages from students.
He said the lack of communication added to the family’s frustration over the incident and the broader transportation issues.
“Well, I mean, it’s bad enough that they put the children in this situation to begin with, but then to try and, you know, not acknowledge it, not accept that there is an issue,” Gregory said.
He said he would have welcomed an acknowledgment of the incident and an explanation of any steps being taken to address the situation.
“And, you know, even to tell us, you know, we’re sorry, we’ll, you know, resolve the protocol, whatever it is that was, you know, that was in place that put the kids into this situation,” Gregory said. “Nothing is worse.”
Gregory said the parents have tried contacting the district about their concerns but have not received responses. They hope the student’s attendance records can be reviewed and any transportation-related tardies or unexcused absences appropriately addressed.
The student told FOX5 that the bus has since been repaired and is still being used.
FOX5 also asked CCSD about students being marked tardy when school buses run late.
The district said students who arrive late can visit the school office to obtain documentation and will not receive a tardy for a transportation-related concern. The parents say CCSD never got back to them.
CCSD said families can check Infinite Campus or contact their school office to review attendance records.
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