Recognize Bus Driver Debra Dryden for Demonstrating Exceptional Awareness and Good Judgment in Defusing a Potentially Dangerous Situation on Her Bus

On November 6, 2013, while transporting a full bus of students to Ippolito Elementary School, bus driver Debra Dryden observed a student placing what appeared to be a small gun in his pocket.  Though she thought the object may have been a toy gun, Ms. Dryden decided to take no chances with the safety of the students on her bus.  She called Dispatch to request assistance.

Dispatch notified law enforcement and the staff at Ippolito Elementary.  After the bus arrived at school, Sheriff's deputies were able to take the student off the bus without incident and retrieve the object.  It was a .22 caliber derringer firearm.  The student was a 9-year-old in the third grade.

Because of her exceptional awareness of what was going on inside her bus, and because of her good judgment, the potentially dangerous situation was resolved quietly and peacefully.  Ms. Dryden was able to maintain the safety of all the students involved, including the student who brought the gun on the bus.

This agenda item is for recognition and has no financial impact on the district.