Wisconsin school district changes bus transfer policy after 5-year-old child is hit and killed – NBC Chicago

Changes to a Wisconsin school district’s bus transfer policy will take effect Monday, four days after a kindergarten student was struck and killed by a bus in a school parking lot.

A 5-year-old student was struck by a bus Thursday morning in the parking lot of Silver Spring Middle School in Lisbon, located in northern Waukesha County. The student who was struck was at Silver Spring Middle School, waiting to be transferred to a shuttle to the Willow Springs Learning Center, authorities previously said.

The student was enrolled in a 4-year-old kindergarten (4K) program, officials said. Starting Monday, Hamilton School District 4K students will no longer transfer buses at any time during morning routes, WTMJ, the NBC affiliate in Milwaukee, reported.

Buses will take younger students directly to the Willow Springs Learning Center, then continue to Silver Spring Middle School and individual elementary schools. Traffic patterns at Silver Spring Middle School will be changed to improve safety, the district told WTMJ.

Authorities said the cause of the incident remains under investigation, with the bus driver fully cooperating with authorities’ investigation.

“We understand that this tragedy will certainly raise many emotions, concerns and questions throughout our school community, especially our students,” Hamilton School District Superintendent Paul Mielke said in part in a statement obtained by WTMJ. “Our Student Services team immediately began working with students and staff across multiple buildings this morning and will continue to provide support during this difficult time.”