Police chief: School bus driver fired after Fox Chapel students changed clothes on bus

PITTSBURGH — A bus driver who worked for a company that provides transportation services to the Fox Chapel Area School District has been terminated.

According to a letter the district sent home to parents on Friday, administrators were recently made aware of an incident that occurred on a school bus involving the driver and three students.

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According to police, three girls changed their clothes on the bus before other students were picked up.

The school, as well as O'Hara Township Police and Indiana Township Police, conducted a thorough investigation. Police are working with the District Attorney's office over possible charges.

• Channel 11's Joe Holden is working to learn more information. WATCH Channel 11 News at 11 for the latest

Bonnie Berzonski, Fox Chapel Area School District coordinator of communications, sent Channel 11 News the following statement:

"Fox Chapel Area School District administrators were recently made aware of a concern about a bus driver. As a result of those concerns, the school district contacted the bus company, ABC Transit, and the driver was immediately terminated from providing bus services to the Fox Chapel Area School District. The school district also contacted local law enforcement.

"The bus driver is not a Fox Chapel Area School District employee, but an employee of ABC Transit, the school district's bus carrier. It is also important to note that this bus driver was properly vetted and passed all of his clearances."

Todd O’Shell, VP of operations for ABD Transit, sent Channel 11 News the following statement:

"The Fox Chapel Area School District administration recently made ABC Transit aware of a concern regarding one of our drivers.  ABC Transit immediately removed the driver from the roster pending investigation.  Upon investigation, the driver was terminated from employment.  It is important to know that the driver completed all the necessary background checks, clearances, and training to transport students in the Fox Chapel Area School District."

“The safety of our students is a top priority for the Fox Chapel Area School District. We will continue to be vigilant about keeping our students safe!” Superintendent Gene Freeman said in the letter.

The dismissal of hundreds of students was delayed Friday afternoon while the district gave out sealed letters that students say they were instructed to not open on campus.

O’Hara Township Police said they spent hours dismissing rumors that the school had been locked down.

Many parents were upset and took to social media, saying the only notice on the school’s website about the delay of dismissal had the wrong date on it.

WPXI