Bill would hold parents, students accountable for school bus behavior

Frankfort, Ky (WTVQ): Legislators introduced House Bill 446 that would hold parents accountable if their child causes harm on a school bus. Parents ‘could’ face up to misdemeanor charges if their child’s behavior warrants it.

Clark County School Transportation Director, and a bus driver for the district, both say they’re both in favor of this bill if it means it will better discipline children when they’re on the bus.

Rhonda Newby has worked as a bus driver for more than 15 years, “I love being around kids and I love driving the bus,” she said.  She says with around 80 children on her bus. it can be difficult to concentrate on the road. Of course, the biggest help would be. “If the kids could sit down, pay attention and listen to the drivers,” Newby said.

Currently there’s bus driver shortages across the country. Kentucky is no exception. HB 446 addresses the issues of bullying if a student or others are at risk of getting physically hurt, making it unsafe for the bus driver to continue driving. Each school would create a code of acceptable behavior that would be placed in all school handbooks.

Darren Snell, Director of Transportation for the school district, says the job responsibilities can be tough. “You’ve got to discipline kids and you can’t get out of your seat. We have your typical disrespect issues, we’ve got vaping” he said. “Whatever’s in the community will come into your including on the school bus.”

He says the school district does a lot with drivers on how to talk with children as well as building relationships with them. “It’s a multifaceted job,” Snell said. “You have to be tolerant. You have to be respectful and you have to love kids.”

The bill emphasizes that riding the bus is a privilege, “We’ll take all the help that we can get,” Snell said

The bill is still in its early stages.