Hillsborough School District Group is Examining Special Ed Safety Following Student Deaths

Tampa, FL
Hillsborough County school bus drivers are free to decide whether to call 911 in case of an emergency, superintendent MaryEllen Elia said Thursday.

In addition, Elia said, a work group headed by deputy superintendent Ken Otero is exploring safety issues that affect exceptional-student education.

These actions follow the deaths of two special-needs children. Elia has asked for the work group's findings within 10 days.

Isabella "Bella" Herrera died in January, a day after suffering respiratory distress on a school bus coming home from Sessums Elementary School in Riverview. Her parents are suing in federal court.

Bella had a neuromuscular disorder and trouble holding her head up. She started choking, and neither the aide nor the driver called 911. Instead, they tried to have a dispatch operator or transportation supervisor call 911, which the district described as standard policy.

Safe Havens, International