Lennie Martin is a resident of Bridgeville.
I am a retired teacher who keeps up with education issues in the area. I also have several good friends who drive school buses. Senate Bill 48 is under consideration, and it gives me hope that the bus crisis is recognized and that residents will stand up and actively work for its passage in the legislature.
SB 48 would make it a chargeable offense (disorderly conduct) to intentionally interfere with the operation of a school bus in Delaware. This applies to anyone boarding a bus and refusing to leave; anyone restricting the movement of a bus; and anyone threatening a bus driver, a student or a passenger.
My driver friends are under attack, but the public might not be aware of the frightening aspects under which they are now driving: Several have been threatened by students and parents. Parents and children’s relatives have been known to block buses, board them and use the foulest of language in angry rants. Several drivers have been threatened that they will be beaten and worse.
The behavior of some of the children (even at young ages) puts drivers and students at risk. The foul language and cursing of those adults verbally attacking drivers is heard and witnessed by all the students, and it does not end there. Often, if the driver reports the student(s) or adults and then teachers/administrators attempt to correct the problem, the bus driver pays the price — up to and including attempts to get him or her disciplined or fired.
On the buses — during transport — behaviors like cursing, bullying, refusing to sit down, changing seats, throwing food wrappers on the floors and taunting drivers with mean comments happen every day. Alarmingly, sexual comments and conversations make it critical for drivers to keep an eye on what is going on at all times. Unfortunately, all this is leading to a shortage of drivers, as the word is passing that this career is one to avoid. The behavior is not contained to the buses, with teachers struggling the rest of the day with the same problems.
The disruptive children, in most cases, need help and support. As a teacher, I know how family situations and stress outside of school can wear down the child and family. I had one student come to me in tears many years ago and tell me that school was the only safe and happy place in his life. Are we funding the help they need? Do we have a list of agencies they can contact if a family needs assistance? Do the schools have budget items for trained counselors, qualified and prepared to work with children who are struggling, acting out or lagging behind and depressed?
Back to the bus drivers — what about safety? Can drivers handle regular stopping, starting, loading and traveling in all kinds of weather with all this going on? And what about the children who are trying to be good but are teased and bullied? The drivers are also subjected to rude personal attacks. One example is a driver who was told she was fat, and that is the mildest comment I could think of; many are much worse.
Some buses carrying students who need extra care (especially young students) have adult monitors onboard whose job is to tend to the needs on the bus, so drivers can concentrate on driving. Many school systems have assistants on every bus— especially at a time like this. Can this be extended to all drivers who qualify due to student behavior problems, as well as special needs?
Sen. Eric Buckson, R-Camden, introduced this bill in the state legislature and is spearheading its much-needed passage at this time. Please contact your state senator and/or Sen. Buckson himself. Letters, calls, personal contact and emails are needed to pass SB 48. If you want to start a petition, that is a great way to make it easier to include many residents in one document.
Our bus drivers are a vital link in our educational system. Let’s keep them safe and sane!
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.