News Summary
A recent incident on a school bus from Coastal Middle School led to disciplinary measures against the driver after a conflict with students escalated. The confrontation was recorded on video, leading to police involvement and concerns from parents. The driver’s conduct was found inconsistent with expected professional standards, while the safety of the driving itself was not compromised. The school district remains committed to student safety and is reviewing policies to improve the environment on school transportation.
Savannah, GA – A recent incident on a school bus transporting students from Coastal Middle School has resulted in disciplinary action against the bus driver following a conflict that escalated between the driver and several students on August 27, 2025.
The confrontation, which was captured on video, showed the driver warning a student, “I will mess you up,” and accusing the student of making threats. The video footage indicated that this exchange escalated, prompting the driver to return the children back to the school instead of continuing their route.
As the situation unfolded, one of the students was seen making a phone call, and the bus was eventually surrounded by multiple police vehicles from the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools. The school district reported that several students were involved in ongoing disruptive behavior during the ride, which the driver was unable to control effectively despite their attempts.
A concerned parent, who learned about the incident, followed the bus and sought assistance from the authorities. The bus was forced to stop at an unintended location due to the conflict, leading to further complications. District officials later stated that video evidence indicated there was no unsafe driving conducted by the bus driver during the event.
While the driver’s actions did not compromise the safety of driving, they were deemed inconsistent with the professional conduct expected by the school district. Consequently, the driver will no longer be assigned to routes serving Coastal Middle School, and appropriate disciplinary measures have been enacted.
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System has expressed its commitment to students’ safety and maintaining professional standards among its staff. The district indicated that disciplinary actions would also apply to students involved in the disruption, in line with the Student Code of Conduct.
A parent, Michael Locklear, expressed concern that the driver could have managed the situation differently, suggesting that pulling over to call for help might have been a more effective approach. He noted that his daughter typically rides that bus and voiced worries regarding her emotional readiness to return after the incident.
Locklear emphasized the importance of fostering a safe environment on school buses to prevent disruptions that may distract or endanger drivers. The school district has indicated the possibility of assigning a new driver to the Coastal Middle School routes, demonstrating its proactive approach to ensuring student safety in the wake of this incident.
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is actively addressing the matter and reinforcing its policies to ensure a safe and conducive environment for students on school transportation. This ongoing review reflects the district’s dedication to upholding a professional atmosphere and responding effectively to situations that may arise on school buses.
As the situation develops, the district aims to implement measures that will reinforce the quality of service and safety standards on all school routes, ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
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Additional Resources
- WTOC: Savannah-Chatham Public School System Addresses Coastal Middle Bus Incident
- WJCL: Savannah School Bus Sinkhole Incident
- Savannah Now: City of Savannah Road Crews Examine Roadway Cave-in
- KQ2: SJSD School Bus Involved in Afternoon Accident
- Wikipedia: School Bus
- Google Search: Savannah-Chatham Public School System bus incident
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
