Federal Investigation of Schools

June 2, 2010

FBI seeks school districts’ bus info

Federal agency sought names of Crestwood, Wyoming Area and Wilkes-Barre Area school bus providers.

By Matt Hughes mhughes@timesleader.com
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The FBI has requested information from three more Luzerne County school districts, officials confirmed Tuesday.

Transportation records were requested from the Crestwood, Wyoming Area and Wilkes-Barre Area school districts.

Crestwood Superintendent Dave McLaughlin-Smith said the FBI called in late May to ask one question: “Who is your school bus provider?”

McLaughlin-Smith said he provided the information requested.

Crestwood’s busing is provided by Deets-Rinehimer Bus Lines, Mountain Top, Wilkes-Barre Area’s is provided by Williams Bus Line, Wilkes-Barre, and Wyoming Area’s company is Pace Transportation, Pittston.

Wyoming Area Superintendent Ray Bernardi said someone from the FBI called his office about two weeks ago, but only spoke with his secretary.

Bernardi said the FBI requested the same information from his district, and that his secretary provided the name of the district’s transportation provider. Bernardi said the FBI also asked if the district’s busing provider, Pace, leases or owns its own buses.

Wilkes-Barre Superintendent Jeff Namey said the FBI spoke with a secretary in the school district’s transportation department, and asked the same question.

All three superintendents said they have not been contacted by the FBI since the initial calls several weeks ago.

Greater Nanticoke Area School District Superintendent Tony Perrone said the FBI had not contacted his district. Other districts could not be reached for comment by press time.

The FBI contacted the Hazleton Area School District to request similar information in late May. The FBI requested the names of the 11 companies that provide busing for the district. Hazleton provided the information at the time.

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