Rockwall ISD releases letter to parents regarding bus driver arrest

The Rockwall ISD released the following letter to parents and guardians of school bus #73 riders, in regards to the recent arrest of a bus driver.

Dear Parents/Guardians of Bus #73 Riders,

The District wants to make you aware of a matter involving a former Rockwall ISD bus driver, Mr. Michael Paul Smith. From August 19, 2019-January 8, 2020, Mr. Smith drove bus #73, serving Springer Elementary and Utley Middle School. Last Wednesday, January 8, 2020, the District received an anonymous tip with information that Mr. Michael Paul Smith was videotaping students boarding and departing the bus, a violation of Board Policy FL (Legal). Per Rockwall ISD practice, he was immediately removed from his duties while our Human Resources Department conducted a thorough investigation into the matter. Based on this investigation, Mr. Smith was terminated Wednesday afternoon.

Please know that the District notifies all agencies required by law, including law enforcement and the Texas Education Agency, so that the proper authorities may investigate and take appropriate action. As a result, we received notification from the Rockwall Police Department regarding the arrest of Michael Smith for Invasive Visual Recording, a state jail felony.

The safety of your child is a responsibility that we take seriously and this behavior is not tolerated in Rockwall ISD. Please be assured the District will always take swift action in these circumstances to ensure the safety of our students.

If you or your child have any information to report regarding this matter, please contact law enforcement or your school administrator immediately. You may also submit an anonymous tip via the District’s website, located at the following link: https://www.rockwallisd.com/anonymoustip

Submitted by RISD for publication in Blue Ribbon News.