To the editor:
“When are you coming back to drive our bus?” “Why aren’t you driving our bus anymore?” These are the questions I have been asked, at school and out in public, from so many of the kids who rode my bus since I was removed from my bus run on March 3rd.
In the beginning I would open my arms, give the child a big hug and answer back, “Some people thought I just needed to take a break from that bus and drive another one for a while.” Weeks turned into months and kids still kept asking me. Again I would open my arms and then say, “I’m fighting really hard to get you guys back because I miss you too. I’ll be driving the bus again soon.”
On July 9th I posted a picture on Facebook in front of my bus – bus No. 5, requesting support at the school board meeting on July 14th. Some thought it took guts, others thought I had lost my mind. I wanted people to know — especially the parents of the children who rode my bus, that I didn’t switch willingly. The response was overwhelming. Over 330 people shared that picture.
As word spread parents, strangers, friends and staff encouraged me to get my bus run back. At the school board meeting I was grateful to walk in together, as a group with the support of my Union rep., family, staff, parents and kids! Together we filled the room. That moment made me so proud to be a bus driver for our district. I don’t just drive a bus, I love my job, I love my kids, and I love our Hawks Nest.
I am thankful to the school board who went into executive session to listen to my grievance presented by my Union rep. I understand how hard it must have been to listen and act as a school board member. I have been a bus driver to your kids. I’ve cheered from the same bench at games, gone on field trips, some of you are neighbors and most of you all know me and my family. I understand the decision had to be made as your role as a school board member and not as a parent.
The decision of the Board was based on our Union contract Article 4, Section 2 which states the Superintendent can alter routes in the best interest of the district. Although I would prefer not to be in this situation, it really couldn’t have happened to a better driver because this has made me a better Shop Steward for our Teamsters Union. I am aware that the contract needs some clarification which we are currently working on.
The board’s vote wasn’t unanimous. An 8-2 vote just means I have to try harder. I have 53 precious reasons (all who ride on my bus) to pursue this further. This situation started with interim superintendent Clayton Belanger and then dropped in the lap of our new superintendent Scott Richardson. The driver who was forced to switch with me, Royce Quint and I plan to each write a letter to Scott identifying the reasons to reinstate us back to our original bus runs. It is our hope that Scott will consider our requests, review the overall situation and the positive impact on the kids to have us back on our original routes, and reverse the original decision to avoid the legal expense of arbitration.
Clarissa Porter
Hodgdon
