RICHMOND, Va. -- The reckless driving charge filed against Richmond School Board member Tichi Pinkney-Eppes for passing a school bus was amended to an improper driving charge during her appeal hearing Thursday morning.

The judge who heard the case said there was sufficient evidence to show Pinkney-Eppes illegally passed the school bus, but the charge would be dropped once Pinkney-Eppes completed driving school.

It incident happened in June outside Maymont Elementary School, along the 1800 block of Amelia Street, in Richmond.

During her trial, Pinkney-Eppes told the court the bus was empty when she passed. She said she waited behind the empty bus for five minutes after she saw the driver walk a group of children into the school.

The judge told Pinkney-Eppes while he saw her point, he argued the General Assembly took the discretion to pass a stopped bus with its flashing lights on out of the driver's hands. Therefore, he said, she broke the law and fined her $25.

Pinkney-Eppes is due back in court October 9.