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Wauwatosa Today
By the People, for the People
Mukwonago School Bus Driver Allowed Armed Parent Onboard
The driver cited a domestic conflict situation as the reason for letting the parent with a firearm onto the bus.
Published on Mar. 7, 2026
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A school bus driver in Mukwonago, Wisconsin allowed a parent with a firearm in a lockbox onto his bus route from Section Elementary School after the parent warned him it wasn't safe for her children to get off. The driver took the parent and remaining students to an alternate stop where police were waiting, at which point the parent disclosed she had the firearm. The bus company has disciplined the driver for violating policy and will provide additional training to all drivers on handling potential conflict situations.
Why it matters
This incident raises concerns about school bus safety protocols and the ability of drivers to properly assess and respond to potential threats or dangerous situations involving parents or other non-students. It also highlights the need for clear policies and training around how to handle the presence of firearms, even if properly secured, on school transportation.
The details
According to the bus company president, the driver let the mother of two students board the bus on February 26 after she warned him it wasn't safe for her children to get off, as she appeared to be fleeing a domestic conflict. The driver took her and the remaining students to an alternate stop, where police were waiting. It was only then that the mother disclosed she had a firearm in a locked case. The driver said he had no idea she was armed. The bus company has disciplined the driver for violating policy prohibiting unauthorized riders, and will now provide additional training to all drivers on handling potential conflict situations at bus stops.
- The incident occurred on February 26, 2026.
- The bus company released the driver's account on March 6, 2026.
The players
Larry Kirkley
The president of Dousman Transport, the school bus company that employed the driver involved in the incident.
Joe Koch
The superintendent of the Mukwonago Area School District, which is reviewing its contract with Dousman Transport and re-establishing clear protocols for non-students riding buses.
What they’re saying
“The driver took her and the remaining students to an alternate stop, where police were waiting.”
— Larry Kirkley, President, Dousman Transport (jsonline.com)
“All Dousman drivers will now receive additional training on handling potential conflict situations at bus stops.”
— Larry Kirkley, President, Dousman Transport (jsonline.com)
What’s next
The Mukwonago Area School District is reviewing its contract with Dousman Transport and re-establishing clear protocols for non-students riding buses.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the need for robust school bus safety protocols and driver training to ensure the security of students, even in the face of potential threats or dangerous situations involving parents or other non-students. It also underscores the importance of clear policies around the presence of firearms, even if properly secured, on school transportation.
