Polk School employee's job in jeopardy after bus stop death

LAKELAND (FOX 13) - The Polk County school board meets Tuesday to decide if an employee will be fired after the district says she lied about a dangerous bus stop where a student died in May.

Brenda Young is an area manager for the district who oversaw the bus stop on Clubhouse Road where George Jenkins High senior Kalen Kirk was struck and killed by a car.

According to an internal investigation by the school district, Young lied to her bosses, telling them that Kirk did not need to cross the street to get to his bus. Then, district officials say, Young changed Kirk's bus stop in a computer system to align with her false narrative.

The superintendent has recommended that Young be fired for her role in the alleged cover up.

The board will make a final decision Tuesday at its meeting that begins at 5 p.m.

A woman who came to the window at Young's home told FOX 13, Young would not comment until after the meeting. She will be given a chance to speak in her defense.

Young is a 10-year veteran of the school district and has been on unpaid leave since June.

Since Kirk's death the county has added a street light in the area of the bus stop and students no longer need to cross the street to get on the bus.