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Some schools reevaluating bus idling policy

Posted at 2:23 PM, Jan 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-28 17:09:00-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- Some school districts may revise their idling policies in the wake of the deadly school bus crash at Amy Beverland Elementary on Tuesday.

Watch our video in the player above for the full story.

The driver told firefighters that the school bus accelerated and jumped the curb.

Principal Susan Jordan was killed and two 10-year-old students were hurt.

PREVIOUS |Police: Nothing mechanically wrong with bus before crash | Principal pushed kids out of way before she was hit by bus

Currently, Lawrence Township does not have an idling policy for school buses.

Franklin Township is considering a policy change but has not made one yet.

Indianapolis Public Schools released this statement:

This week's tragic accident has created a ripple effect across the state; like many other districts, IPS Transportation leaders have reviewed district idling procedures and will make new recommendations to our drivers to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Previous practices allowed idling for a short time to maintain bus temperatures for optimal operation and student comfort in the winter months, but our revised standard practice will advise drivers to shut engines off when students and staff are present in (an) effort to reduce the risk of an accident

The following school districts do have some type of no idling policy. Each district is different.  Some say buses only need to be turned off outside a school for 5 minutes, others make exceptions for extreme weather.

  • Noblesville Schools
  • Avon Community Schools
  • Washington Township Schools
  • Carmel Clay Schools

RELATED | Student Transportation Association of Indiana school bus idling policy

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