My sister and I were in a bus accident several years ago - we lived off of Rt 19 - Cranberry Township - directly across the street from Butler Auto Auction. We were in the Northbound lane - red lights flashing as an 18 wheeler came barreling over the hill. He never stopped. We were very blessed that our bus driver, Mrs. Lemon paid attention to everything outside the bus as my sister and I were starting to exit the bus. Mrs. Lemon slammed the doors to protect us - I still remember grabbing my younger sister as she started down the steps. Mrs Lemon put that bus in gear and charged up the embankment to the right. The 18 wheeler did hit our bus however the damage was minimal and no one was hurt.

The point I am trying to make is Mrs Lemon was an alert driver because the kids on the bus followed the rules - she could watch the road and everything going on even when we were parked and getting off the bus. What would have really happened had kids been running up and down the aisle - fighting with each other and she had to control the situation? I suspect a few of us would have been seriously injured.

Seneca Valley (when I went to school) would hand out detention days for unruliness on the bus - they would even suspend a students right to ride the bus - a day - a week - whatever it took to get the message across to the student and the parents. It is a privelege to ride the bus. I live in Ohio now and one school district DOES NOT have bus the 9th thrrough 12th graders to school. They can not afford it -the parents must drive them, set up car pools with others..take off work....whatever it takes to get the kids to school. If the children do not attend - after a period of time the parents are brought into court - that simple.

Mars School should set up a system - allow the bus driver to give the principal names - first time - one nights detention and the parent has to pick them up. (Up to 3 days) After that up it to one day to 5 days in school suspension - the parent has to bring them and drop them off. After that kick them off the bus - Period.

I would send a letter to the principal and the bus company - stating that if an accident happens because of them passing the buck that I would hold them accountable for any and all injuries to my child - send it certified. Send a letter once a week - if an accident happens - they have been well informed and choose to ignore the problems - if any child were hurt on this bus during an accident - all the children would be covered - can you spell lawsuit.............if thats what it takes for you to protect your child. DO IT. If I remember Pa School Law - the school is responsible for your cild from the time they pick them up and deliver them home in the evening.

As for the bus driver - he has the right to turn that bus around everyday - just as the sub did. Is that unfair to all the students..........yes. However if enough parents have to pick the children up - they might join you in setting up a punishment system that forces the unruly childrens parents to get involved or drive their animals to school themselves - how would this impact their life? How many times will they need to expalin to their employer that their child can not control themselves on the bus and the need to come in late / leave early to drop or pick them up?

This is a ridiculous situation - a handful of children are controlling a principal and a bus company.