Kingsport Schools Refute Rumors of School Bus Incidents

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Kingsport City Schools Assistant Superintendent Andy True addressed the Kingsport Board of Education, refuting rumors that two school buses had slid off the road with students aboard and required tow trucks to get them out on February 4th. True stated that while the roads were slick due to snow and ice, the bus drivers made the correct decision to stop and call for assistance, which was provided by Kingsport Public Works, KCS, and the Kingsport Police Department. He emphasized that no wrecks or crashes occurred, and all students made it to school safely.

Why it matters

The spread of misinformation on social media can cause undue concern in the community, and it is important for school officials to provide accurate information about the safety and handling of inclement weather situations involving students. This incident highlights the importance of verifying facts before sharing information, especially regarding the well-being of children.

The details

True explained that the bus drivers made the common-sense decision to stop and call for help when the roads became slick, and that no tow trucks were needed to extract the buses. He said eight or nine students were on one bus, and two were on the other. The school system has detailed inclement weather procedures, including a self-imposed 9 p.m. deadline to make schedule change decisions, and a 3-5:15 a.m. window to assess road conditions and make any necessary morning changes.

• The incidents occurred on February 4th, the only day that week that Kingsport City Schools held classes.
• The school system has 13 banked snow days, of which they have used 4 so far, with 5 designated for professional development and 4 remaining.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education will continue to monitor and refine their inclement weather procedures to ensure the safety of students and staff.