Kelly Trickett, a mother of a five‑year‑old special‑needs student, said her son Ben was left stranded for hours after his first day of kindergarten at Connery Elementary School in Lynn, Massachusetts. Ben, who has a communication disorder and is enrolled in a special‑education program, was supposed to be picked up by a bus operated by NRT, a private transportation provider that the family has used in previous years.
Delayed pickup sparks police call
According to Trickett, the bus arrived after school had already begun and then failed to return when the school day ended. “It was an hour, then it was two hours. It’s like, ‘Where is he?’” she said. After repeated attempts to contact the bus company yielded no answers, Trickett called the Lynn police department for assistance.
When the bus finally arrived, staff told the family that the delay was due to it being the first day of school. The incident repeated the next day, with Ben arriving home more than an hour after the school day ended despite living only about a mile and a half from the school.
Safety concerns over seating
Trickett also raised a specific safety issue: Ben, who weighs less than 30 pounds, was not secured in a car seat, even though his individualized education program (IEP) requires one. “It’s a safety issue. And then it’s access to services that it’s an issue,” she said, adding that the lack of communication from the transportation provider reflects a systemic problem.
Impact on other families
Trickett noted that roughly a dozen other special‑education students ride the same bus, meaning that delays affect many families in the community. Both she and her husband work full‑time and cannot reliably drive Ben to and from school, making reliable transportation essential.
Responses from NRT and the school district
NRT declined to comment on the cause of the delays or the seating issue. In a statement, the company said, “Safe and reliable transportation is our top priority and we work closely with the school district to quickly address route issues to support our students, families and the community.”
The Lynn Public Schools district also issued a response. Director of Special Education Christina Colella said the district contracts with multiple vendors for special‑education transportation and expects them to deliver students safely and on time in compliance with IEPs. She acknowledged that the first week of school often brings challenges, but promised diligent follow‑up to resolve any problems quickly. The district’s statement did not directly address the car‑seat allegation.
Parents call for better communication
Trickett emphasized that families need clear, timely communication when issues arise. “You want to trust the people that are taking care of your son. And when things like this happen, that trust kind of just goes away,” she said. She urged the district and transportation providers to improve their communication protocols and ensure that safety requirements outlined in students’ IEPs are consistently met.
The incident underscores broader concerns about special‑education transportation in Lynn and highlights the importance of reliable, safe services for families who rely on them. As the school year progresses, parents and officials alike will be watching to see whether the district and its vendors can address these early‑year challenges and restore confidence in the system.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
