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PARENTS' STORIES AND
LETTERS
Eric's Story
October 28, 1999
Dr. Ross:
We still have no answers, and our local paper this morning states it
happened again in this county. Luckily, the 8 year old boy survived.
Please educate drivers and officials as to what can happen if they are
careless.
Kim
"Life is a promise, fulfill it."
Mother Teresa
The last song Ric learned to play on his
keyboard was Beethoven's 9th (Ode to Joy) his funeral procession:
...and the Cherub stands before God!
Glad how his suns fly;
through the sky's magnificant plan
brothers run your orbit joyful,
like a hero to win.
Be embraced, millions,
this kiss to the whole world!
(lyrics) Eric C. Martin - 10/30/88 to 10/28/99
(music courtesy of Gene Bitner: Amarillo Boy Choirs under the direction of
Billy Talley, May 1990)
| As with all little boys Eric put off his
chores and hid candy wrappers under the sofa cushions (we're still finding
those)! He was a bright, fun, happy 10 year old who was diagnosed with
ADHD by school request. He loved reading, last read "The Sword of
Shannara" by Terry L. Brooks, and "The Hobbit" was read in
about 3 days. He was very wise and thoughtful for a young child, was a
computer and electrical gadget expert by 5, loved animals particularly sea
life, he was kind to ALL (frequently amusing toddlers in his spare time).
Eric was fair to a fault, brave and patriotic, appreciated all the 'little
things' in life, strong-willed, handsome, and loving. |
 |
He needed his back
rubbed nightly, was afraid of the dark, and hated gory movies. He did say
he "wasn't afraid of ghosts, since there really aren't any. They're
all angels!" Ric loved the Tampa Bay Bucs, was funny, bouncy, my
shadow, loved soccer and Garfield. Some little girl lost the love of her
life on October 28, 1999 and doesn't know it yet....
ERIC'S STORY
On October 28, 1999 Eric was being
transported home from his first day of a new after school program designed
to save the expense of summer school. It ran from 4 to 6 p.m. Two
different school administrators each spoke with my husband and myself the
preceding afternoon and morning of the program. We were each assured that
it wasn't necessary to pick him up since 'free bus service' would be
provided, and he'd be brought to his 'regular bus stop' between 6:15 and
6:20. In fact, the last lady told me she was adding his name to the roster
as we spoke at 10:30 that morning. Eric was not there, in fact they
weren't sure for days which bus they'd put him on! The principal, not
wanting to "babysit until 8, if these parents had their way.."
shuffled the 'stragglers' onto the last bus and told the driver to figure
out where they went. As it happens, we found that despite this Eric had
been put on the right bus. However, the driver didn't know any of the 12
children, was provided with an old route list, and a student roster
showing only 10 passengers. No! She never came to the stop we'd been told
he'd be coming to, in fact she didn't stop at the one closest on the list,
either! After I returned home from looking for him at the school, I called
the school, teachers, and the school district. They don't even maintain
voicemail for after hours. So, I phoned the Sheriff’s Department while
my husband searched the school room by room. I was told that schools don't
provide the law officials with contact numbers either, but they'd find
someone. A few minutes later, the Transportation Supervisor called me to
say, "Don't worry, this happens all the time. This is how I spend my
nights, tracking down kids." He sobered up when I told him, "Not
my child, and it better NOT be happening all the time". Sadly, I've
found this to be true...This man got the driver on her radio, and she
stated that Eric wasn't even on her bus. She'd had a question about a boy
5 miles from here, but he was "much smaller". This conversation
took place at about 7:05, Eric was struck and killed walking home from
that stop 5 miles down a fast 2 lane rural road 20 minutes later. The road
had no sidewalks, a construction zone, no emergency phones, and waist high
weeds on both sides. He had walked more than 3 of the 5 miles carrying a
20 pound bookbag in less than an hour. The school district's security
officer did a self serving internal investigation deeming the driver not
at fault. The bus security tape was 'inadvertently' taped over the next
day, witness statements left out of reports, etc. The driver is currently
transporting full busloads of children daily, the same administrators are
in charge of their safety while on campus.
MY FIGHT
With all of the recent focus on seatbelts
for school buses and weapons in schools, I have found that issue just to
be the "tip of the iceberg'. Who are these adults who are responsible
for your child during school?
We as parents have the right to be assured
that when we put our most precious assets on a bus in the morning, they
will safely be returned to the same stop after the school day ends.
Despite a national shortage of school bus drivers, teachers, and school
personnel, it is imperative that these people take their responsibilities
seriously! I was told repeatedly that night that "this happens all
the time"! I have found this to be true, but it SHOULDN'T be
happening at all. In my experience, we need to make sure that local agency
communication is open. School administrators must be accessible after the
last school bell rings, at least by the local law personnel. Are your
local policies explicit, and your state laws up to date? Many states
require NO background check on these contractual employees. Your mailman
delivering your bills is checked more thoroughly than those in charge of
your children in your stead. Please let me know of your own experiences or
concerns.
http://hometown.aol.com/kmartin133/myhomepage.html
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