Sep 16, 2008 8:23 am US/Eastern
Investigation Raises Red Flags On N.J. Bus Drivers
NEWARK, N.J. (CBS) ―
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Dozens of school bus drivers with criminal convictions are transporting children to school in New Jersey, according to the state's Department of Education. (File)
CBS
School bus accidents are a constant concern for parents when they send their children off to school, but a new investigation finds parents may have something else to worry about: who's behind the wheel.
Dozens of school bus drivers with criminal convictions are transporting children to school in New Jersey, according to the state's Department of Education. One of the drivers was employed by Samna Transportation and, according to education officials, has an child endangerment conviction from 1992.
Tareq Elsamna, the owner of the bus company, showed CBS 2 state police paperwork that cleared her to driver.
"We did the investigation and it came back negative," said Elsamna. "She has the qualification to drive."
The driver is now an office manager and claims the charges were dismissed. After the investigation, the state disqualified her and two drivers with other companies.
In 2006, a bus aide with two prior drug convictions was caught selling methadone to a Middletown High School student on a bus. Some parents in Middletown say they're concerned.
"For me personally I don't have [my kids] use the bus, but I guess for all the children who have to it would be scary," said Middletown parent Cindy Binder.
Education officials admit there are problems with the system and they're working with lawmakers on legislation that would force more frequent fingerprinting of school employees.
"The fact of the matter is schools are increasingly contracting out services, custodial services, some food service is contracted. This would cover criminal background checks for all those individuals', not just teachers or administrators," said state Sen. Barbara Buono.
Right now, drivers are checked every two years. A spokesperson for the Department of Education says they have access to labor records that will allow them to "check it quarterly to see who is working for bus companies and make sure that they have background checks that allow them to hold their jobs."
Officials also say 32 other drivers with convictions in New Jersey were not disqualified because their offenses were minor and under the law they're still allowed to drive.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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