WINDHAM — A bus driver who hit a mailbox and was arrested for driving under the influence Monday will no longer be behind the wheel in the district, according to the school superintendent.

“She will no longer be driving,” interim Superintendent Henry LaBranche said of Kimberly Hooley, 50, of Londonderry.

Hooley works for the transportation company First Student Inc., which said the driver was suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation. LaBranche said he informed the company that he did not want Hooley working for the district.

LaBranche said police told him she was charged with driving under the influence, but the substance was not alcohol.

Police received a report Monday morning that a school bus was driving erratically on North Lowell Road near Taylor Farm. Officers searched the area, but could not locate the bus.

A second call came in a short time later advising police that the bus was at Windham Middle School. After speaking with Hooley, Sgt. Dan Clark suspected that she was under the influence and placed her under arrest about 8 a.m., police said.

The bus received minor damage when it hit the mailbox. Hooley told police that she exchanged information with the homeowner after the accident. None of the students were injured, police said.

Parents of the children on bus 347 were informed of the incident about 20 minutes after it happened, LaBranche said. An alert was sent to the rest of the parents within two hours.

“There were a number of children who were very upset,” LaBranche said.

First Student spokesman Timothy Stokes said Hooley has been with the company since April 1, 2010. The company is working closely with local law enforcement on their investigation, he said.

All employees are required to pass a drug screening prior to employment and random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted, Stokes said.

At the school Monday afternoon, parents were still trying to sort out what had happened. Some said the students on bus 347 were texting to their parents and friends as the incident unfolded. Many believed a legally prescribed drug rather than alcohol was involved. Neither was acceptable to parent Troy Heath.

If employees believe that taking a day off to take care of a health issue requiring prescription medication puts their job at risk, the policy needs to be changed, Heath said. Otherwise, the screening process needs overhauling.

“The school district should do a much better job of screening the drivers and the drivers should be more responsible,” Heath said.

Bob Hobbs is a volunteer at the school. He said the students build a relationship with their bus drivers and this type of incident breaks down their trust.

“It's a terrible thing,” Hobbs said. “I hope they look into it and it's thoroughly investigated.”

Judy Nolan did not have a child bus 347, but said she could sympathize with the families who did.

“It's unfortunate,” Nolan said. “I'm sure the SAU will take every action to make sure this won't happen again in this community.”

Hooley was released on personal recognizance bail. She is scheduled for arraignment on Nov. 8 in Salem District Court.

First Student is one of the largest student transportation companies in the country. Windham has contracted with the company since 1988, when it was Laidlaw Education Services. First Student acquired Laidlaw in October 2007. In August, the School Board voted to hire a consultant to evaluate the district's transportation options and help develop a 10-year plan for its transportation needs.


New Hampshire Union Leader Staff Writer Pat Grossmith contributed to this report.