By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer

The Saco bus driver accused of driving drunk twice in the same day is on paid administrative leave while school officials investigate the incident.
Jan Mooney, 54, of Saco, was removed from her school bus Dec. 8 while outside of Saco Middle School and charged with operating under the influence and endangering the welfare of a child, according to police. She was arrested the following day for allegedly driving while still intoxicated hours after she was first cited by police.
Police Chief Bradley Paul said School Resource Officer Michael Carrier removed Mooney from her bus around 2 p.m. after employees reported smelling alcohol on her breath. After officers Ray Demers and Megan Brownell arrived at the school, Mooney went to the police station voluntarily, he said.
Students had boarded the bus but Mooney had not put the bus into gear, according to police. A different driver drove students home.
Mooney’s blood alcohol content was .17, more than twice the legal limit to operate a vehicle, Paul said. She was summonsed and warned not to drive again that day because of her level of intoxication, he said.
Paul said Mooney called bus dispatch and told officers a friend would drive her home. She was dropped off by police at bus headquarters on North Street, where police said she waited for officers to leave before driving herself home.
“Officer Megan Brownell explicitly told her she could not drive until the next day,” Paul said.
Based on statements of witnesses, Paul said offices secured an arrest warrant and Mooney was taken into custody at about 6 p.m. Dec. 9. She was released on her own recognizance and is expected to appear in Biddeford District Court Feb. 10.
Paul said “danger and injury to the kids” was averted because of the quick actions of school employees and officers. He said the incident is “highly unfortunate” and “distressing to us.”
Assistant Director of Transportation Jay Kelley said Mooney was placed on paid administrative leave immediately after the incident. He said she is being paid while on leave as required by contract and law.
Kelley said Mooney has been employed as a bus driver in Saco for about 33 years. He said drivers are subject to random drug and alcohol tests.
Superintendent of School Michael Lafortune said the school department is conducting an investigation into the incident and reviewing policies. He said he expects the investigation to conclude in the “near future” after a meeting with Mooney.
Lafortune said officials are reviewing protocols for bus drivers who start the day from home instead of a central bus lot. All Saco drivers start at the North Street bus headquarters, but several drivers in Dayton and Old Orchard Beach don’t report to a central location.
The change would allow staff to notice impairments and ensure drivers are reporting to work on time, he said.
“We’d like to see everyone report to a central location every day,” he said. “It’s just another safety checkpoint. We want to be able to check everyone who is driving a bus.”
Kelley and Lafortune declined to comment on Mooney’s past performance as a bus driver because of confidentiality concerns.
Mooney’s driving record shows she was convicted of speeding in 1974 and 1987, failure to obey a stop sign in 1976 and failure to stop for a red light in 1996.
Mooney did not return calls seeking comment.
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said by law Mooney’s commercial driving license will be suspended for one year. He said the federal Motor Carrier Safety Act requires an administrative suspension for any commercial driver arrested for operating under the influence with a blood alcohol content higher than .04.
If convicted of drunk driving, Mooney’s license will be suspended for at least three months, Dunlap said. Whether Mooney will retain her bus driver certification will depend on the outcome of her court cases. She could face a suspension of up to three years or permanent revocation, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Lafortune said it is “unfortunate” the actions of one bus driver could overshadow the work of other drivers.
“Our bus drivers are very concerned employees and they put the safety of the kids first,” he said. “They go out of their way to make sure each child gets home safe and sound. They do an outstanding job over there.”
Kelley said he has emphasized to parents that this is an “isolated incident” and not the normal behavior of the school district’s drivers.
“We have very competent, very well-trained drivers. Our drivers are very good drivers and good people,” he said.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.