School officials are investigating an alleged assault on one of the school’s buses this week.

According to Bullard Independent School District Superintendent Keith Bryant, a seventh grade student was allegedly hit with a soft drink bottle while riding Bus No. 25 to Flint after school Wednesday, Sept. 9.

“We are investigating the situation and we will take appropriate action against any student who violates our rules,” Bryant said.

Ralph Gebo, the father of the student allegedly assaulted by a 10th-grade student, said his son was visibly upset when he departed the bus. Gebo, who is raising seven children alone after his wife died in 2005, said he and his 17-year-old son got into their car and chased down the bus to find out what had happened.

“The first reaction as a concerned parent is that you’re going to go to the source,” Gebo said.

Gebo said his son pulled his vehicle to a stop in front of the bus at the next stop to try to get some information. The bus driver would not open the door for Gebo and Smith County law enforcement was called and quickly arrived on the scene. Gebo’s vehicle was moved and the bus continued on its route.

Gebo said he later took his son to a hospital and an examination determined that the youth had a “small fracture on the right side of his face.”

Armed with photos and the examination report from the hospital, Gebo said he attempted to talk with Bryant early Thursday, Sept. 10. Bryant said he had already started an investigation, but he was unable to talk with Gebo at the time because he had a previous appointment. Bryant said he tried to set up an appointment with Gebo later that morning but Gebo insisted on an immediate meeting.

“Yes, I refused to leave until somebody talked to me about the assault on my child,” Gebo said. “He said he didn’t want to talk to me without an appointment.”

Gebo said he got upset and school officials confirmed that he became unruly and had to be escorted off the school property by BISD School Resource Officer Sgt. John Walker. Bryant said a meeting was set up with Gebo Friday, Sept. 11, to discuss the alleged assault.

“My child was following the rules and regulations on the bus,” Gebo said. “Now, my children are afraid to ride Bus 25. They’re having to take another bus.”

According to Gebo, other similar incidents have occurred on the same bus.

“Parents call this bus ‘Bus H—-,” he said.

Bryant said the bus driver and the monitor did their jobs properly and that all procedures were followed.

“Appropriate disciplinary measures have been taken. We don’t condone misbehavior,” Bryant said of the student who threw the bottle. “We’re not going to tolerate it.”

Smith County Constable Precinct 1 Andy Dunklin said Gebo will be cited for interfering with the transportation of a bus, a Class- C misdemeanor.