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JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
 Posted - 12/21/2004 : 5:50:26 PM
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DEC 21 2004
NBC 15 TV NEWS
(MOBILE, Ala.) December 20 -- Six Adams Middle School boys are booted off of a school bus for disorderly conduct and left at the Creola Police station by the driver. But, at least one student says he was not misbehaving. Christopher Herring is still confused, "Why would she put me off the bus when I didn't do anything?"
Students want answers. But, parents want action. Christopher's mom feels the driver's actions were reckless. According to Creola Police officers, the driver pulled up to the station, mumbled something about not being able to operate the bus and dropped 6 students off. The parents were called to pick them up.
Transportation Director Sadie Cates says the bus driver told her she was trying to do more good than harm. "The kids weren't fighting. She told me that the kids were rowdy. They were playing on the bus, but it was distracting. And, she said she just didn't feel like she could safely operate that bus with them, with them acting that way", says Cates.
However, Cates says the driver should have contacted her or Mobile County Superintendent Dr. Harold Dodge immediately before taking matters in her own hands. But, she says it does not surprise her the driver went off course. She says sometimes kids can go from being noisy to rowdy and worse.
Things got rocky on another bus ride home on Friday. Cates says seven Palmer Pillans girls were arrested for fighting on the bus. When the officer showed up, they jumped the officer. Cates says drivers have even dropped younger kids off at local precincts for bad behavior. "Several months ago, we had some elementary school kids arrested, because they were totally out of control", says Cates.
Some bus drivers say out of control kids are making them lose control. But, concerned parents argue they should not dump their responsibility as drivers off to police officers. This is not the first time the driver has dropped students off for disorderly conduct. Last year, she reportedly took rowdy students back to school for misbehaving. Cates says they are currently investigating the driver.
Click Here for story
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 12/22/2004 : 06:51:21 AM
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| If parents don't want bus drivers to dump their responsibility off to police officers than maybe parents shouldn't dump their responsibility as parents onto teachers and bus drivers! |
If you have an International, you NEED customer service. |
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John Farr
Top Member
USA
642 Posts |
Posted - 12/22/2004 : 06:55:35 AM
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As I read the above I conclude that school and police officials feel the student misbehavior is mostly the driver's fault. I disagree.
When school bus drivers drop kids off at an authority figure's place (school, police, etc.) they are abdicating their responsibility to maintain control on the bus. The message the kids get is "I can't handle this, so I'll take you to someone who can." High drama for sure, and the action will likely impress the students a bit. Unfortunately the driver has now unwittingly rendered themselves a toothless tiger. Similar incidents in the future will only be handled by a threat of again going to the authority figure's place.
As James (JK) and I have advocated for many years - the driver must assume the role of authority figure? It will take some effort on the part of the drivers and their boss(es), but they will be rewarded with excellent support from everyone, including parents and school administrators.
Professional drivers must be in complete control of the students they transport.
For those interested, much more on this topic is offered in numerous earlier threads on this website. |
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rswboe
Top Member
USA
675 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2005 : 10:15:42 AM
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| We run buses that are out of control back to the schools all the time, it's no big deal, sometimes the driver needs support. Some parents are vocal about it, you know, the incredible inconvenience of having to deal with their own kids, but they get over it. But to leave the kids on the side of the road? Seems like there must have been a better option. We also have had the police assist when the situation is to the point where the driver feels he/she can no longer safely operate a vehicle, it doesne't happen often, but it does happen. A smart driver knows when he's in over his head and needs help. No shame in knowing your limits, as for being a toothless tiger, I disagree. If the kids know that the driver will resort to involving other authorities, and face suspensions & such, they quite often tink twice before going off the handle again. While they investigate the driver, why don't they do the same for the kids involved. They'll probably find one or two kids that fire up the whole crowd. Weed out the deliquents and see what happens. This is a good argument for on board video systems. Cameras don't lie. |
Live each like it's going to be your last, one day you'll be right! |
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IWantToKnow
New Member
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2005 : 7:43:19 PM
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| On my bus, if us students get too rowdy, Mr. Mac turns on his yellow warning lights, and pulls over. He opens his window and sticks his left arm out and rolls it forward to signal traffic to come through. He will sit there until everyone gets completely quiet. On time, I timed it, and we sat there for 27 minutes! After, he turns the warning lights off, and continues the route. |
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JC Theriault
Top Member
Canada
1326 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2005 : 10:36:22 PM
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Isn't that misuse of the amber overheads??
JC |
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JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2005 : 12:02:23 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by rswboe
We run buses that are out of control back to the schools all the time, it's no big deal, sometimes the driver needs support. Some parents are vocal about it, you know, the incredible inconvenience of having to deal with their own kids, but they get over it.
Exactly. I agree with everything you said in your post and like reading about these providers and drivers that keep their buses safe. Been a few years since having to return a child - The first year was tested by kids and parents. The decision is the child's to make, and haven't had the decision to be taken back to the school for some time. I have not sat on the side of the road with kids for more than a few minutes to move some around, and choose not to use that strategy unless waiting for school staff to arrive and remove a student off the bus. I've seen sitting backfire too many times. (jk)
Click Here to find out The #1 reason some school buses are violent places |
Edited by - JK on 01/31/2005 12:04:07 AM |
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JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2005 : 12:11:25 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by thomas86_a
If parents don't want bus drivers to dump their responsibility off to police officers than maybe parents shouldn't dump their responsibility as parents onto teachers and bus drivers!
I understand your logic, however parents are not on the bus with you. Returning a child to the school or removed from the bus is something that needs to be thought through and used carefully. There are occasions when it is useful to deal with an outright defiant child, yet when presented as an option allowing the child to make the value judgment, then removal from the bus, if that is necessary, seems most effective. (jk)
Click Here to find out The #1 reason some school buses are violent places |
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Bus Driver Takes Major Detour
