Oops! 'Unauthorized' school bus offering kids a ride was actually authorized

BATTLE GROUND, Wash. -- Police said Tuesday they investigated the report of someone in an unauthorized school bus offering rides to kids and discovered the bus in question was actually being driven by a new driver and trainer on "legitimate business."

Battle Ground School District 119 had sent out a warning to parents and families of students Monday night that an unauthorized school bus had been reported to be offering children a ride.

But on Tuesday, the school district offered this update:

"The Battle Ground Police Department has investigated the alleged report of an unauthorized bus as reported to Battle Ground Public Schools. The investigation confirmed that the bus in question was a school district bus occupied by a new driver and a trainer who were on legitimate business conducting a bus stop exercise."

It added that the information reported to the district by concerned parents prompted the district to notify families to ensure safety and err on the side of caution.

"We would like to thank the community members who reported their suspicions and the quick response of the Battle Ground Police Department," the school district said.

Battle Ground is about 24 miles north of Portland.