[Superintendent's Update] Superintendent's Update

[Needham Public Schools Superintendent's Update]

Dear Needham Families:

Earlier today, we were notified by YCN Transportation, Inc. that one of
their van drivers responsible for transporting Needham students to/from
their private special education school was arrested for buying drugs in
between his morning and afternoon runs this past Tuesday, May 12th.  *No
students were on the van at the time of the incident nor were any students
injured or otherwise involved.*  The families of the students who were
transported by this driver have been notified by the Needham Public Schools
of the situation with the driver.

YCN has terminated the driver and a substitute driver has been put in place.

Rest assured that we take all matters related to student safety very
seriously in the Needham Public Schools.  As per our policy, this driver
was subject to the appropriate Criminal Offender Record Investigation
(CORI), Sexual Offense Record Investigation (SORI), and National
Fingerprinting Process and was found to have no criminal activity in his
past upon hire.  Furthermore, YCN and the Needham Public Schools have
strict driving and other safety protocols in place, including random drug
testing of school van and bus drivers.

We will continue to work with YCN Transportation as well as all of our
special education transportation vendors to be certain student safety
remains the top priority.

Should you have any questions or would like to speak with me directly,
please contact me at dan_gutekanst at needham.k12.ma.us or 781-455-0400 x202.

Sincerely,

Dan Gutekanst
Superintendent
Needham Public Schools
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