At the time of the crash.

We are asking new questions tonight about the bus driver who was charged with two counts of first degree sexual assault.

We've learned he drove for the pardeevile and portage school districts.

Jamie perez shares more new details we've learned today.

The superintendent of the portage school district said edwards was hired with go riteway this january after allegations had surfaced.

According to the criminal complaint, edwards "retired" from smiths' bus company in december of last year.

I spoke with the superintendent about the steps taken after she found out edwards was driving her own students plus with the columbia county sheriff is saying about the pardeeville school district's involvement in this investigation.

On tuesday, in an interview with the pardeeville school district's superintendent gus knitt, we asked him why parents weren't informed that there was an investigation into one of its bus drivers.

(tuesday pkg) "we had no idea there was an investigation going on, we had no idea there were arrests made" but the columbia county sheriff told us today, the school district had initially called them in january to report the incidents.

Sheriff: "it was actually the school who called us in january of this year to report an incident.

The school is well aware of what was happening because they were the ones who reported it to us" knitt tells us now that he did know about the investigation in january but didn't tell parents because the school had no evidence the allegations were true.

In may of 2017, the first allegation against gary dean edwards was made, but at the time, no arrests were made, no charges filed.

Sheriff: "it was asked why we did not make the arrest.

I said at the time, the deputy used his discretion and did not feel that there was enough details, information and evidence to justify arrest" edwards would retain a clean record.

After two more girls came forward with allegations against edwards, detectives found edwards retired from smith's bus company with the pardeeville school district in december.

Only to get another position as a bus driver with go riteway..

Who contracts with the portage school district.

Portage superintendent: "if there was something we could have known ahead of time, it would have prevented that potential hire " superintendent margaret rudolph said go riteway did a thorough background check.

And because he had nothing on his record from 2017, he passed background checks.

In a statement, go riteway said "the moment we learned of these charges, he was removed from all work at go riteway.

Because charges had not been filed against him until this week, they were not reflected in our january background check.

"they also had contacted the smith's bus service and dot guidelines and nothing came back."

Smith's bus service declined to give us comment.

But go riteway says they are fully cooperating as the investigation continues... "there are two cameras on each bus, so as soon as we knew, we knew they were going to preserve that video should something come up" rudolph said as soon as she found out edwards was driving for the bus company her schools contract with, she sent out a letter to parents to let them know this was happening..

She's asking any parent who has any more information to come forward to columbia county sheriffs.

Thanks