In a disturbing incident that has raised significant concerns about student safety, a New Brunswick bus driver, Miguel Ganoza, has been charged with two counts of fourth-degree abuse and neglect of a child after allegedly failing to drop off two 4-year-old schoolchildren. The incident occurred on May 6 and was brought to public attention during the May 7 Board of Education reorganization meeting.
Miguel Ganoza, a 76-year-old resident of Franklin, admitted in a phone interview with TAP into New Brunswick that he had forgotten the two children on his bus after driving them to McKinley School. He explained that his usual procedure involved the bus aide ensuring all students had disembarked, but on this occasion, the aide, who lacked prior experience, failed to do so. Ganoza also highlighted that Mercy Transportation, the South Brunswick-based company he works for, did not provide any training regarding the care and supervision of children.
Jennifer Sevilla, president of the Board of Education, confirmed the lapse in protocol and expressed relief that the children were unharmed and safely returned to the school. The board meeting further revealed that the bus aide involved in the incident has since been terminated from their position.
Superintendent Dr. Aubrey Johnson addressed the gravity of the situation at the Board of Education meeting, acknowledging the community’s concerns. He mentioned that there had been inquiries into the service record of Mercy Transportation, prompted by multiple negative reviews found online. Although a trend of incidents was not evident from the information provided to the school district, the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency is currently investigating the matter.
Dr. Johnson emphasized that the district is not satisfied with the outcome of this incident and reiterated the importance of student safety. He assured the community that steps are being taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Miguel Ganoza, who has been a bus driver for four to five years, expressed his frustration over the lack of adequate training and support from his employer, Mercy Transportation. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comments regarding the incident or their overall service record.
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The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of school transportation providers and the necessity for comprehensive training and stringent safety protocols to ensure the well-being of young students. The community awaits the results of the ongoing investigation and hopes for measures that will enhance the safety and reliability of school transportation services in New Brunswick.
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