Reader comments
Audit finds school bus drivers with DUIs, arrests
35 comments | Read story
nottyou | 3:48 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
"Because of privacy issues, auditors can't tell the districts who the
employees are." You have got to be kidding me! Nevermind the safety of
the students and others on the road...we need to protect the privacy of the
offender. No wonder things are so screwed up.
Anonymous | 4:15 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
My bus driver was a sexual predator who would now be in prison for his behavior
with students on the bus. This happened in Davis county 35 years ago.
Figures... | 4:19 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
....may want to check into the teachers while your at it? Instead of waiting
for them to surface with criminal charges like in the case of the two West High
teachers....c'mon BofE, grow some and take care of our kids!
Comments continue below
CITIZEN | 4:24 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
The A.C.L.U.(the lobbyist for the criminals)insists that the criminals have
privicy.
ick | 5:07 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
I think the bus driver who screamed at my daughter once for no reason is
probably one of these criminals. She is the nastiest, crankiest person ever.
They really need to protect children from not just criminal bus drivers, but
busdrivers who are abusive to the children.
Voter | 5:17 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Maybe BCI should be running criminal record checks on school employees every
day, like they do for people with concealed weapon permits.
The schools should make this part of the terms of employment for everyone they hire, and get around the privacy issue that way.
Anyone who objects should be thrown out of work in the education bureaucracy!
The schools should make this part of the terms of employment for everyone they hire, and get around the privacy issue that way.
Anyone who objects should be thrown out of work in the education bureaucracy!
Bus Driver | 5:53 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
There might be a slim possibility that your child was screaming at the bus
driver first, but I am sure that you never considered that. Bus drivers get
very little respect and absolutely no support and are always at fault even
though they have to transport disrespectful little brats to and from school.
another bus driver | 6:46 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
re: bus driver
I am also a bus driver and your comments are uncalled for. The kids on my bus are not disrespectful little brats and if yours are, it's probably a reflection of their driver. Treat people and kids with respect if you want respect in return. If you feel that way about your students, you should be the first to resign. As for the drivers who fit the mold of this article, you should be next in line to resign, without being asked to. You make the rest of us look bad and put a black eye on all of education.
I am also a bus driver and your comments are uncalled for. The kids on my bus are not disrespectful little brats and if yours are, it's probably a reflection of their driver. Treat people and kids with respect if you want respect in return. If you feel that way about your students, you should be the first to resign. As for the drivers who fit the mold of this article, you should be next in line to resign, without being asked to. You make the rest of us look bad and put a black eye on all of education.
I have to empathize | 6:51 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
with "bus driver" I know some of those kids must be monsters,
I've heard the stories! When I was a kid and rode the bus and the kids were
bad, the driver would just stop and let them walk! Politically incorrect, I know
in todays age. I can see the moms' jaws dropping everywhere, but the point
is that one thing we as taxpayers can do that wouldn't cost us a cent is to
toughen up the liability rules as applies to school kids. I hear the same kinds
of things all the time from teachers also, that they have to "put up
with" all the troublemakers in the classroom. So why doesn't the
legislature address these kinds of discipline issues first and work on the
"money" issues later? Make the jobs a little less stressful.
There's no reason in the world that ANYONE should have to put up with
nonsense like that from kids.
Whenever I hear of lobbying from UEA its not related to discipline or empowering teachers (or bus drivers)to get rid of troublemakers, all its about is more money!
Whenever I hear of lobbying from UEA its not related to discipline or empowering teachers (or bus drivers)to get rid of troublemakers, all its about is more money!
just a not e | 6:56 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
I agree with nottyou...there is a possibility of a convict driving the bus for
little children near aneth, utah...and someone should check that out, rather
than find out later..better safe than sorry!!
agree with Bus Driver, but not | 6:57 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
name calling.
The commentor at 4:15 stated an awful situation, but that was 35 yrs ago, I'm
sure that bus drivers are checked for serious crimes, before they are allowed to drive children. Some of the records for DUI, driving issues, domestic issues could be yrs in the past and the drivers are more responsible now.
I agree bus drivers don't get alot of respect, I personally would not want to drive a bus full of children around. I have seen and heard rude comments out of the windows of buses by the children at stop lights.
Since the parents here have spotless records they need to take on these jobs to ensure safety.
The commentor at 4:15 stated an awful situation, but that was 35 yrs ago, I'm
sure that bus drivers are checked for serious crimes, before they are allowed to drive children. Some of the records for DUI, driving issues, domestic issues could be yrs in the past and the drivers are more responsible now.
I agree bus drivers don't get alot of respect, I personally would not want to drive a bus full of children around. I have seen and heard rude comments out of the windows of buses by the children at stop lights.
Since the parents here have spotless records they need to take on these jobs to ensure safety.
Dear Bus Driver | 7:07 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
you know what they say, " if u can't stand the heat get out of the
kitchen" !!
Anonymous | 8:20 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
How long ago were these violations? Is someone to be punished for life for a
teenage DUI? Good Lord! How can people who claim to be christian refuse to allow
repentence?
Make me throw up. | 10:02 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Some of these comments make me throw up. Bus drivers only work part time at
with hours that conflict with many other jobs they could take. Bus drivers do
not make any great wage that is gonna be a primary income. Sure, I am confident
that bus drivers have screwed up in the past in dealing with kids or in how they
drive.
There is NO WAY someone who committed a crime 3 years, 5 years, 12 years, 30 years ago should be allowed to drive the bus. PLEASE!!!!!! People don't change. People are not capable of growing or "learning a lesson". If someone pays their debt to society they should pay for it the rest of their lives. Some of you are closed, narrow minded, dumb a**es.
I am not suggesting that we allow the local rapist, molester, serial DUI, road rage, or candy taker just have easy access to our kids. I am suggesting that each case be considered on a case by case basis. Interviews, background checks, references, and work history should all be utilized to make good decisions.
How many of you have no skeletons?
There is NO WAY someone who committed a crime 3 years, 5 years, 12 years, 30 years ago should be allowed to drive the bus. PLEASE!!!!!! People don't change. People are not capable of growing or "learning a lesson". If someone pays their debt to society they should pay for it the rest of their lives. Some of you are closed, narrow minded, dumb a**es.
I am not suggesting that we allow the local rapist, molester, serial DUI, road rage, or candy taker just have easy access to our kids. I am suggesting that each case be considered on a case by case basis. Interviews, background checks, references, and work history should all be utilized to make good decisions.
How many of you have no skeletons?
Midwest Member | 10:06 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Hey "Figures" -- maybe Utah should "grow some" and start
taking education seriously. You have the distinction of spending the least on
educating your children. How small-minded and short-sighted! To the bus drivers,
teachers and all the hard working education support staff, I salute your efforts
in such a thankless state. To the general, conservative rabble who regularly
gripe about money issues in the schools, get involved and find out how hard
pressed schools and teachers really are instead of just griping. You all are
getting MORE than what you pay for already.
Oh No | 10:29 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Looks like the media is looking to sensationalize yet another stupid story.
The media makes me sick with all them over exaggerating everything.
The media makes me sick with all them over exaggerating everything.
HELLO | 10:44 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Did any of you actually read the report that this article is written about?
Falsely Accused and | 3:43 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
Convicted, It never goes away
Every other person in Utah has a Felony Conviction
That is because the Courts and those running the Courts are Corrupt
You should visit your local Court on Monday Morning
You be the judge and see what is going on
Every other person in Utah has a Felony Conviction
That is because the Courts and those running the Courts are Corrupt
You should visit your local Court on Monday Morning
You be the judge and see what is going on
Two wrongs don't make a right | 6:06 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
There are always exceptions and reasons to nulify or deflect from the point.
Are there bad children that probably shouldn't be allowed on the bus? Of
course; but let's not divert from the point of this article.
When it comes to the protection of our children, there's no doubt about it - the right of privacy should not even be a consideration. If you're an upstanding individual and have nothing to hide, then by all means, apply for the job. If not, seek other employment that doesn't put our children in unnecessary danger.
When it comes to the protection of our children, there's no doubt about it - the right of privacy should not even be a consideration. If you're an upstanding individual and have nothing to hide, then by all means, apply for the job. If not, seek other employment that doesn't put our children in unnecessary danger.
re: Figures @ 4:19 | 6:23 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
They districts are already checking out the teachers! Each teacher must pass a
background check and go through fingerprinting before they are even hired by the
district!
Idaho teacher | 6:42 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
In Pocatello all school employees must pass a police background check in order
to be employed. The prospective employee is the one who pays for the background
check. It costs about $40.00. Doesn't this happen in Utah ? Apparently
concern for privacy of convicted (formerly) bus drivers is more important than
safety of the children !
Bus drivers | 7:18 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
What ever dirt has turned up on the bus drivers must be handled on an individual
case. Offenses 20 or 30 years ago on an individual that has been responsible and
trust worthy should not be held against them. If you have a chronic alcoholic is
a different matter, but we have them all through government agency's. There
are many drug dependent teachers and educators on the rolls but that isn't
held against them so why should a DUI be any different? Drug offenders are not
convicted of DUI's as they should be, and is a more offensive and dangerous
problem. Bus drivers should be tested quarterly for drug and alcohol use and
only the repeat 2nd offense drivers be discharged. Once and employee gets
through their 90 day probation period the supervisors tend to look the other way
because of the difficulty in discharging undersirable employees. Supervisors in
government fail to maintain proper records on employees is part of the problem.
The supervisors are not held accountable for their departments and their
employees and it goes up the ladder in government for all tax funded employees.
There should be a zero tollerance for drugs in any government job.
duh??? | 7:23 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
When you pay a driver minimum wage, and give them part-time hours, what do you
expect? The only people who will take that job are the ones who can't get
hired anywhere else... The same people who are on probation and work fast food.
The responsible people who you want to hire are working full-time elsewhere. Wake up...Pay them $10-$12/hr with benefits, and use them as a janitor/maintenance/teachers aid/substitute teachers during the rest of the day and see who applies.
The responsible people who you want to hire are working full-time elsewhere. Wake up...Pay them $10-$12/hr with benefits, and use them as a janitor/maintenance/teachers aid/substitute teachers during the rest of the day and see who applies.
georgiaonmymind | 7:37 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
I am just a lunchroom monitor here in Georgia and I had to be fingerprinted and
have a background check as do all employees in this school system. Utah can do a
better job!
well??? | 7:42 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
30 years ago, bus drivers kept a paddle on the bus and bust the rear-ends of the
bratty kids. It's a shame the brat who the police tazed never rode a bus.
Stop the excuses ! | 8:07 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
What is it with you people? You're off topic in my opinion, or you simply
want to excuse away any standards for qualification at all.
All that needs to be done is that standards be established by the courts that "protect the public", are fair and resonable and that make sense. Privacy rights can still be upheld by the employer, by requiring by law that the information be kept confidential. The protection of our children is paramount!
All that needs to be done is that standards be established by the courts that "protect the public", are fair and resonable and that make sense. Privacy rights can still be upheld by the employer, by requiring by law that the information be kept confidential. The protection of our children is paramount!
cdmom | 8:27 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
All employees in the school districts have background checks done. Alpine
District even requires parents who chaperon to have a background check at the
parent's expense. Part of the problem is there is a backlog of checks
waiting to be done at the beginning of the school year, but the children still
need to be transported. If the districts were able to be at the front of the
background checks to be done line in August then maybe they would be done before
the drivers, teachers, etc., were put on the job. Maybe we should ban all
concealed carry permits for the month of August, that way the districts can have
that month for the new hires.
One question not asked is; how are these drivers with multiple tickets and DUIs and other driving convictions getting a CDL? Part of the reason for the CDL was to keep better track of professional drivers and their driving records.
One question not asked is; how are these drivers with multiple tickets and DUIs and other driving convictions getting a CDL? Part of the reason for the CDL was to keep better track of professional drivers and their driving records.
Kmarie | 8:50 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
I never let my kids ride the bus. I drove them to and from school. And I also
drove them to the field trips. Never trusted putting my kids on the bus with
someone I didn't know driving it. And no seat belts, yet we require them to
be belted up in cars. Make no sense to me.
Drive your own bus. | 9:17 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
Think about it people. Who is going to take a job that pays peanuts and
requires you to work from 6:30 A.M. to 8:30 A.M., take a six hour break, and
work again from 2:30 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. When I was a kid, the bus drivers were
all farmers who could work a crazy schedule like that while the snow covered
their fields. Unfortunately, we don't have that many farmers left in this
state. If the carpooling, soccer moms on this blog are so concerned with people
driving their kids to school, they should get off their duffs, get a CDL, and
start driving the bus themselves.
Harvey Danger | 9:18 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
"Paranoia, paranoia, everybody's coming to get me."
Re: Drive your own bus | 9:49 a.m. Nov. 19, 2008
You sound like a realistic person. The world needs more people like you that
point out the real problem in all of this, the non-existent parents that blame
everyone else for their own kids misbehaviors. I believe that if even half these
kids received the discipline I did when I was young, we wouldn't have the
problems that exist today. REALITY CHECK - Spanking is not child abuse, it is
teaching your kid that there is a consequence to your action.
Bus Driver Employer | 12:33 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008
Bus Drivers are screened. Motor vehicle records are checked. Past discretions
are carefully checked. A fistfight 30 years ago is excused. Bus drivers are
outstanding individuals willing to drive a 40 foot bus with 50-84 students
behind them. Bus drivers are normal people who sometimes get angry and
frequently are positive and happy. Human Resource departments, who make the
final decision on hiring, carefully check past problems and evaluate each
incident carefully.
Bus drivers must participate in random drug and alcohol testing. Drivers immediately lose contracts and positions for infractions.
Riding the bus is continues to remain the safest way to travel to school. The parent who drove her children wasted natural resources, caused uneeded pollution, and put her child in a position 8 times more likely to be killed in a private vehicle.
I love and respect the drivers in our district. I trust the Human Resources Department to screen all applicants. Some applicants do not pass the screening and are never trained or hired.
Bus drivers must participate in random drug and alcohol testing. Drivers immediately lose contracts and positions for infractions.
Riding the bus is continues to remain the safest way to travel to school. The parent who drove her children wasted natural resources, caused uneeded pollution, and put her child in a position 8 times more likely to be killed in a private vehicle.
I love and respect the drivers in our district. I trust the Human Resources Department to screen all applicants. Some applicants do not pass the screening and are never trained or hired.
Maybe... | 12:50 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008
... just maybe, it's time to audit the Legislature...
Re: Bus Driver Employer | 1:34 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008
I dont buy it. I am a route driver and two of the people we let go due to
several accidents that were their fault and too many tickets were hired to be
bus drivers. Why? No other delivery company would hire them, thats why.
My experiences as a driver have also lead me to believe that some bus drivers are unprofessional and generally rely on their connection to a governemnt entity and size of their bus to allow them to violate traffic laws.
While I am sure most are decent people there are others who are ruining the reputation of the rest.
My experiences as a driver have also lead me to believe that some bus drivers are unprofessional and generally rely on their connection to a governemnt entity and size of their bus to allow them to violate traffic laws.
While I am sure most are decent people there are others who are ruining the reputation of the rest.
Most everyone | 2:20 p.m. Nov. 19, 2008
Has a traffic violation
This will remain on your record forever
You pay your debt to society
You still have a record
Everyone willing to put up with brat teenagers are in the record book
How about all of these brats on the BUS?
You people make me sick
This will remain on your record forever
You pay your debt to society
You still have a record
Everyone willing to put up with brat teenagers are in the record book
How about all of these brats on the BUS?
You people make me sick
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