We ask that the Canyons School District:

1. Hire an independent investigator to review the policies and actions of the district related to the charges of aggravated sexual abuse against bus driver John Carrell, and the lack of aides on buses where an IEP requires an aide.

2. Require bus aides on all special needs routes in the Canyons District.

Why?

The Sandy Police Department arrested Canyons School District bus driver John Martin Carrell charging him with 23 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a 5-year old special needs girl. The victim was on a special education bus route.

We are the parents of children driven by this bus driver during the 2013/2014 school year. Over the past weeks we have been shocked at the callous disregard by Canyon School District officials with respect to the welfare of our children. We believe that the School District has violated the public trust with its actions. 

On multiple occasions we have asked to jointly meet with Canyon School District officials to express our concerns. The School District has rejected our requests. We feel that only when people join together will they listen, look at their actions, and change policies to better protect our children.

Below are some examples of actions and policies by the District related to this case:

1. No aide is provided on special needs buses unless a child's IEP requires one and most do not.

2. Camera tape is only reviewed if a complaint is made, even if all children on the bus are non-verbal and unable to tell someone if they are molested.

3. IEP’s requiring aides are not being followed.

4 The District did not notify Sandy police that the accused driver drove routes of special needs children in Draper.

5. The District also did not notify the Draper police, or parents.

6. The District threatened an employee with termination for reporting possible abuse, even though Draper police only found out and were able to begin an investigation because of this brave employee.

Utah law says that people must report abuse of a child. Utah law also makes it a felony for a “caretaker” to neglect a child with a disability. 

We consider employees of the Canyon School District to be a “caretakers” of special needs children, and we believe they have not fulfilled their duty to protect our children, or to appropriately report abuse. 

We believe that if people join together, we can motivate the School District to take action to restore the public trust and protect children with special needs entrusted into their care.

Please sign this petition so that an investigation will be made into why these abuses occurred, and what can be done to safeguard special needs children in the future.