Early Head Start Bus Safety Incident Triggers Federal Review
A safety incident involving a 3-year-old student in Poudre School District's Early Head Start program has prompted a federal deficiency notice and comprehensive review of transportation protocols after the child was left without proper adult supervision during bus drop-off in July.
The incident occurred when a substitute bus aide mistakenly released two children from the bus after the driver indicated all designated students had been picked up by parents, according to Rebecca Benedict, Director of Early Childhood for Poudre School District. One child joined their parent as intended, but the second child briefly wandered alone to find their sister on a nearby playground.
"That is something we do not want to occur," Benedict told the Board of Education September 23, explaining the federal Office of Head Start's response to the safety violation.
The Office of Head Start issued a deficiency notice July 7 requiring the district to correct all identified problems within 30 days. Federal regulations under 45 CFR §§1303.70–1303.75 mandate strict safety protocols for Head Start transportation, including proper child supervision and adult-to-adult handoff procedures for children under age 5, according to federal transportation requirements.
Benedict requested an extension due to the summer timeline, noting bus drivers and teachers were not under contract during the correction period. The district expects to provide complete compliance documentation to federal reviewers October 1.
Comprehensive Safety Overhaul Implemented
The district implemented multiple safety improvements across all levels of the early childhood transportation system following the incident. Students now receive safety education through "Buster the Bus" presentations, featuring an interactive animatronic bus that teaches children about proper bus behavior.
Parents receive enhanced education through new video materials explaining identification requirements and pickup procedures. The district also created emergency identification cards for families lacking traditional photo identification, removing potential barriers to child pickup.
All teachers, administrators, and bus staff received retraining on Early Head Start transportation expectations, which require significantly more oversight than K-12 student transportation. Colorado state law mandates that preschool-age children use appropriate Child Safety Restraint Systems and cannot rely on the compartmentalization design that protects older students, according to Colorado Department of Education transportation guidelines.
"We don't mess around with safety. It is utmost importance and we're going to be continuing to work on this," Benedict emphasized during the board presentation.
The district established monthly meetings with the transportation team and began participating in regular bus operator meetings to maintain ongoing safety focus. Approximately 150 Early Head Start children ride buses daily across the district's 142-day school year.
Federal Oversight and Consequences
The federal Office of Head Start maintains strict oversight of transportation safety through regular reviews and compliance investigations. When agencies violate safety requirements, they receive deficiency notices mandating corrective action within specific timeframes, typically 90 days depending on severity.
Consequences for failing to remedy deficiencies can include loss of federal funding, temporary suspension of transportation services, or termination of program grants. Head Start transportation regulations require proper child restraint systems, route planning that prioritizes safety, and mandatory reporting of all transportation-related accidents.
Early Head Start programs face stricter transportation requirements than K-12 education due to the vulnerability of children under age 5. Federal regulations mandate adult-to-adult handoff procedures and require parents or authorized guardians to present identification when picking up children from bus stops.
The safety incident represents a rare occurrence in the district's early childhood program, which serves approximately 1,000 children annually through Head Start, Early Head Start, and Universal Pre-K funding. Benedict noted the program maintains strong safety protocols and the affected child continues riding the bus.
The district expects federal reviewers to lift the deficiency notice following their October 1 compliance review, pending approval of all implemented safety measures and training protocols.