District Employee Warns: ‘Springfield Children Not Safe Taking School Buses’

Students in the Springfield City School District face significant safety concerns when taking school buses to and from school, according to a verified district employee who spoke with Blaze News’ Julio Rosas.

The employee, who has worked in the district for five years, remains anonymous due to concerns over retaliation after the district sent an email advising staff not to speak to the media, a message reviewed by Blaze News.

The employee expressed grave concerns about the district’s ability to ensure student safety, particularly citing the impact of a growing population of Haitian nationals in the area.

“If you value your safety, don’t come here. It’s not worth it,” the worker told Rosas, describing how the influx has strained local resources and caused widespread issues in the community.

According to the employee, the arrival of a large number of non-English-speaking students, primarily Haitian, has placed immense pressure on the Springfield school system, making it difficult to provide the necessary services to all students.

The Springfield City School District operates 17 schools and serves about 7,700 students, ranging from preschool to 12th grade.

The employee said the biggest issue is ensuring safe transportation for the students.

“We want to safely take your kids to school. We want to give you that peace of mind,” the worker said, emphasizing the district’s commitment to student safety.

However, the employee also admitted that while school bus drivers can control what happens inside the bus, they have no control over external factors, such as the behavior of other drivers on the road.

Local residents have voiced concerns about the increased traffic and road accidents, including several fatal incidents, which they attribute in part to the new arrivals.

One tragic example occurred on the first day of school in August 2023, when 11-year-old Aiden Clark was killed in a rollover accident after the bus he was riding in was hit by an unlicensed Haitian driver.

The crash also sent 20 other students to the hospital.

While many blame the influx of Haitian nationals for the rise in traffic accidents, the employee clarified that the problem extends beyond just one group.

“It’s not just Haitians doing it; it’s Springfield people too,” they explained. The employee also highlighted how the influx has overwhelmed the community’s resources, including law enforcement and emergency services, saying, “Our law enforcement, our fire department, everywhere has exhausted its resources because of this influx.”

According to the 2020 Census, Springfield’s population was nearly 60,000, but the recent arrival of about 20,000 Haitian nationals has significantly impacted the city.

The strain on emergency services has left the district concerned about how quickly first responders would be able to reach the scene in the event of another bus accident or serious emergency.

Rosas also interviewed David Cook, a local business owner, who reported that many students were afraid to ride the bus after the fatal accident.

The district employee confirmed that fear persists among the students, with many feeling unsafe.

When asked directly by Rosas if the students are safe on the buses, the employee responded, “If you put in all the factors, the outside factors, no.”

The Springfield City School District declined to comment on the situation when contacted by Blaze News.