PENDER COUNTY — The decision to fire a dedicated bus driver and coach in Pender County Schools in August has been reviewed by the board of education, according to board members.
READ MORE: Topsail High coach fired after refusing to drive certain bus, parents start petition to reinstate
ALSO: Community slams PCS on Coach June London firing amid driver shortage
Port City Daily asked each board member for their thoughts on the district’s termination response of Melvin London, who worked for the schools for 11 years until Aug. 28, as a bus driver and varsity basketball coach at Topsail High School. London refused to drive his assigned bus, due to concerns over mechanical issues.
Pender County Schools Superintendent Brad Breedlove fired London for insubordination despite his unblemished record with the district and a shortage of bus drivers.
At their meeting on Sept. 10, the school board faced backlash from parents and students who cherished London, often referred to as” Coach June,” and his positive impact on their lives.
No board member responded to PCD’s questions, sent Sept. 11. However, board member Phil Cordeiro provided his thoughts Wednesday and said he received around 100 emails from the community regarding London’s firing.
Cordeiro revealed the school board reviewed the superintendent’s decision in closed session and decided to uphold it. Cordeiro said he dissented.
“I feel staff (from the superintendent down) could have done a better job to establish dialougue [sic] with Mr. London, and I regret the situation had to end with his termination,” Cordeiro wrote. “I hope the entire central office team learned from this experience and will endeavor to retain all our remaining bus drivers.”
In a conversation with PCD a day after being fired, London said transportation staff notified him last-minute he would be switching buses, from his normal bus 286 to bus 251 despite other drivers getting their assignments months earlier. When he raised his concerns over bus 251’s mechanical issues, he said transportation staff were not very responsive.
The district’s bus maintenance logs has three missing monthly entries since 2015 and 24 entries denoting repair or replacement — including on rear air bags, blower motor and valves — from Aug. 1, 2023 to Aug. 29, 2024.
Cordeiro said multiple issues were apparent with the school system’s overall maintenance recordkeeping.
“This is a concern to me, and I hope the superintendent will take action to better supervise our preventative maintenance program,” he said. “This said, there was no clear evidence to me that bus 251 was unsafe to operate.”
The district also defended its fleet in a statement to the community after London was let go from his position.
“We want to assure our community that all school buses in our district meet the safety standards set by the state. The bus in question has passed all state-required inspections leading up to the 2024-25 school year and continues to undergo inspections every 30 days, as mandated by state regulations. It is currently in operation and safely transporting students.”
Cordeiro’s fellow board members Beth Burns and Brent Springer also responded to PCD in a followup email Wednesday. Springer disclosed he voted to uphold Breedlove’s decision.
“I understand the importance of transparency and accountability, and I will let you know that the board’s decision was made after thoroughly considering all relevant factors,” Springer said. “Lastly, I will add that I appreciate our constituents coming to speak during public comment on behalf of Mr. London; it helps in viewing things differently than we do.”
Burns declined to answer PCD’s questions, saying she gives a “very wide path to personnel issues” and doesn’t discuss closed sessions.
Reach journalist Brenna Flanagan at brenna@localdailymedia.com.
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