Sussex school bus accident, district changes policy after boy's death
SUSSEX, Wis. - The Hamilton School District on Friday announced it is changing a school bus policy after a child was struck and killed in a parking lot the previous day.
New policy
Starting on Monday, all K-4 students will be bused directly to Willow Springs Learning Center. Morning route assignments and pick-up/drop-off times will remain the same. FOX6 News obtained a letter to families explaining the change; it can be read in full below.
Old policy
Before the change, FOX6 News reviewed bus policies for the Hamilton School District. The policy said Willow Springs student were escorted by staff and older student "bus buddies" to a shuttle bus at Silver Spring Intermediate School. The shuttle then took those K-4 students to Willow Springs.
Sussex school bus accident; parents want answers after boy's death
Parents want answers about how a school bus could hit and kill a student in Sussex.
Bus accident
Investigators said a bus hit a 5-year-old boy outside Silver Spring Intermediate School, where he was transferring from a bus to the shuttle that took K-4 student to Willow Springs. The boy has been identified as Finn Katona.
The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department described it as an "accident," and deputies are still investigating the cause. Officials with the school bus company say they are fully cooperating with the investigation.
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, located next to Silver Spring Intermediate School, held a prayer vigil for the boy on Friday night.
Hamilton School District letter | Jan. 3, 2025
"We would like to begin by thanking the many families who have reached out to offer support during what has been an incredibly difficult time for our entire school community. This email is to share with you the immediate changes that are being made to ensure our 4K students no longer transfer buses at any point during morning routes.
"Beginning on Monday, January 6th, all 4K students will be taken directly to Willow Springs Learning Center. Current route assignments and pick up/drop off times will remain unchanged. The difference moving forward is that morning buses will now go directly to Willow Springs Learning Center to drop off the youngest students first and then continue on to Silver Spring Intermediate School and individual elementary schools.
"Bus traffic patterns will also be adjusted at Silver Spring Intermediate School to enhance safety protocols.
"District leaders and school board members worked closely with the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department and Dairyland Bus Company to find an immediate solution to address parent and community member questions and concerns that arose following Thursday’s tragic accident. Please know we will monitor this new procedure to determine efficiency and challenges such as adjusted arrival times and new traffic patterns. We are also investigating other potential long term solutions.
"Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department is planning to provide additional support near Willow Springs each morning next week to monitor the additional traffic that is expected.
"Thank you for your cooperation and continued support."