SCHOOL LEARNS BUS DRIVER HAD SUSPENDED LICENSE

JACKSON -- A Jackson school bus driver whose driver's license had been suspended by the state last year has been suspended from driving pending an investigation by school officials.

Superintendent Ron Anderson said Friday the driver was suspended about a week ago immediately after the district was notified by state officials that her driver's license had been suspended. The suspension apparently was effective in early 1999 because of failure to provide proof of insurance in an incident involving the driver's personal vehicle.

Anderson would not provide the driver's name because the issue involved disciplining an employee.

The district is still investigating the incident, but it appears the driver may have worked for nearly a year without the proper license, he said.

"We were unaware until the Highway Patrol discovered it and brought it to our attention," said Anderson. "There's no system that does that automatically. This was a system problem beyond our control."

Anderson said parents had reported concerns about the driver to school officials in previous years, but that "each complaint according to my staff has been dealt with and has been investigated." No decision has been made regarding the driver's continued employment within the district.

"We will not make a determination until we finish the investigation," Anderson said.

In the meantime, the driving records of all transportation employees are being checked and the district is developing a new system of monitoring the traffic records of its bus drivers.

Anderson said a review will be conducted at least annually for all drivers.