A local student faced suspension after accidentally spraying mace on a school bus, mistaking the self-defense spray for a decorative cologne bottle.
The incident has sparked concern among parents and raised questions about the safety protocols of the Sapulpa school transportation system.
Wye Nott, the parent of the suspended student, described the situation as both shocking and disappointing.
“My son was suspended from the bus until January after discovering a decorative bottle containing mace on the floor. He thought it was cologne, as he collects cologne bottles,” Nott explained.
The incident occurred during the 30-minute window between dropping off high school students and picking up elementary school students.
Nott criticized the school system for failing to check the bus during this transition.
“Given the recent threats at Sapulpa High and Middle Schools, including a shutdown over terroristic threats and a student with a gun, it is concerning that no protocol exists to ensure the bus is safe after high school drop-offs,” she said.
Despite her insistence that the video footage be reviewed to identify the student responsible for leaving the mace, the bus depot placed blame on Nott’s son for spraying it.
School officials argued that he should have known the contents of the bottle.
However, his teacher noted that the container did not clearly indicate it contained mace.
The suspension has left Nott facing a difficult choice.
“I now have to decide whether to homeschool my son or quit my job to drive him to school, which is especially challenging given my early work schedule. This highlights the struggles single parents face,” she said.
This incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of the Sapulpa school transportation system and raised questions about the responsibility of school staff in maintaining safe environments for students.
Parents are calling for stricter safety protocols and accountability for staff oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.
