Former Hamilton Southeastern Schools bus driver Terri Shore is facing criminal charges after authorities say she was under the influence while driving a school route on April 1. Court filings show Shore is charged with misdemeanor criminal recklessness and a misdemeanor count alleging a school bus driver consumed or possessed a controlled substance while on duty. She was pulled from service in early April and has an initial hearing set for May 14 in Hamilton County court.
According to district officials, the driver was taken to the district health center for drug and alcohol testing after the school system received a tip about possible impairment. The test came back positive, and the employee resigned during the termination process after the school board approved the consent agenda, as first reported by WRTV. The station reported the bus route in question served about 92 students and said Shore had worked for the district since 1997.
Online court records show the charges were filed April 22, coverage that was noted by WTHR. That report names the driver as Terri Shore and says Hamilton Southeastern confirmed she is no longer employed. In the statement cited in that reporting, the district said it "does not tolerate any behavior that compromises the safety of our students."
District Policy And Safety Checks
On its transportation page, Hamilton Southeastern emphasizes that student safety on buses is a top priority and notes that drivers go through a detailed hiring and training process. The page also outlines expected conduct on school buses and the potential consequences when rules are broken. According to Hamilton Southeastern Schools, the transportation department posts route information online and offers a direct phone line for families who have questions.
Parents Were Alerted Months Earlier
An earlier report from WRTV noted that the district had already sent an alert to parents back in November after receiving a tip that a bus driver might have been under the influence while working. Fishers police were contacted at that time, but officers warned that criminal charges could be hard to pursue if they did not personally witness the conduct or perform the testing themselves, according to the station.
Legal Stakes For The Former Driver
The court entries cited by WTHR list misdemeanor criminal recklessness and the count tied to consuming or possessing a controlled substance while operating a school bus. Shore is due in court May 14 for her initial hearing. The charges are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Hamilton Southeastern has reiterated its commitment to student safety in statements to local media and has not released further details beyond that. Parents who have questions about bus routes or coverage can contact the district’s transportation office at (317) 594-4117.
