School bus driver faces scrutiny over a trip to the casino while on the clock

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

Entrance to the Rivers Casino & Resort

SCHENECTADY — A visit to the Rivers Casino & Resort Friday morning could mean hot water for a school bus driver from the Queensbury School District.

The unidentified driver brought a boys high school bowling team to a sectional tournament at Boulevard Bowl on Erie Boulevard Friday morning, dropped them off and then went to the casino , which opened to the public Wednesday. The bus was clearly visible from Erie Boulevard for at least a two-hour period — and was parked there without the knowledge of officials in the Warren County school district.

Queensbury School District Superintendent Douglas Huntley, who first learned of the bus’s location from a reporter, said the district is investigating.

“I know this, it’s not a student event at the casino,” he said.

The district transportation director was able to contact the driver early Friday, afternoon after the district was asked about the bus. The driver told his bosses he was curious about the casino, which has received extensive publicity around its grand opening. He went to Rivers to get something to eat and satisfy his curiosity before returning to the bowling alley to pick up the students, Huntley said.

At some point, the bus came to the casino staff’s attention, and the driver was located and asked to leave.

“I can confirm for you that the bus driver was located and asked to leave the property,” said Charles Wiff, a spokesman for Rivers Casino. “Our folks noticed the bus, tracked down the bus driver and asked him to remove the bus from the property.”

It wasn’t known Friday what action the district will take over the incident.

“We need to conduct our investigation,” Huntley said.

The driver could receive counseling or other discipline, but Huntley said state personnel privacy laws prevent him from saying anything further. He said the driver has been a school district employee for some time and has a good reputation as a driver and a good relationship with students.

Reach Gazette reporter Stephen Williams at 395-3086, [email protected] or @gazettesteve on Twitter.