Bus driver fired over ‘dragging’ incident

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Wednesday, September 21. 2011

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The bus driver who pulled away from a stop with a child still entangled in the door was fired last week by the Barrow County School system.

Mary Hall was dismissed Sept. 14 by the system for not following the system’s protocol.

“The driver made a poor judgment call,” said superintendent Wanda Creel, who based Hall’s dismissal on not waiting for the child to move 12 feet from the bus and because she moved the bus with two students out of their seats.

Creel said that Hall had no past record of breaking safety protocol within the school system.

“The safety of the child has been at the fore front,” said Creel.

Hall had been put on administrative leave after she closed the door on the backpack of an Auburn kindergarten student, dragging the child 40 ft. down the road before being stopped. The child was not injured.

According to a Barrow County Sheriff’s Office incident report, Hall told police she opened the door so the child could exit the bus, but then two other students approached her and began talking to her. She said she turned her head to talk to the other students and closed the door.

The child told CBS TV in Atlanta that the bus driver was on the phone at the time of the incident, but Creel said last week that statement is untrue based on reports from other children on the bus.

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#1 BLINDED BY THE LIGHT on 09/21/11 at 05:50 AM

WOW!!! How in the world could a bus driver NOT see a child having a problem exiting a school bus? As far as I can remember the exit
door on a school bus is only a couple of
feet to the immediate right of the driver.
I find this to be one hundred percent neglectful of said driver and criminal charges
should apply. DRAGGED FORTY FEET! WOW!

***(Hall had been put on administrative leave after she closed the door on the backpack of an Auburn kindergarten student, dragging the child 40 ft. down the road before being stopped. The child was not injured.)***

#2 observer on 09/21/11 at 10:37 AM

This is the right decision arrived at by the proper process. BCS cannot possibly keep a driver whose negligence almost cost the life of a child. Imagine the personal injury lawyers circling the case if the driver was ever involved in another case.

#3 Anonymous on 09/21/11 at 10:59 PM

Thank GOD the little girl is ok as well as other!

#4 Mary on 09/22/11 at 03:50 PM

These things did not happen when the bus shop had field trip drivers. The students were never left to walk all the way to the Varsity from the Fox. The 4 field trip drivers that were assigned to do field trips and field trips only knew how to move around Atlanta and other places. The kids were so much safer when we had them. Taking the field trip drivers away is just another mess up done by Creel. In the other paper it states that
“In a bizarre twist, another similarly-named Barrow County transportation employee was the subject of complaints this week after a weekend field trip to Atlanta.
Mary Jo Hall, not the driver involved in the September 9 incident, drove a group of Winder-Barrow High School choir and band students to The Fox Theatre Sunday for a performance of "Wicked." According to a parent who asked not to be named, the students were dropped off at The Fox before the show, but when they left the theatre after 10:00 p.m., they had to walk from The Fox to The Varsity, about a third of a mile away, where the bus was waiting for them.”

#4.1 Left in Hot "lanta on 09/22/11 at 06:46 PM

AHS went through a simular situation, Now the new high school was left high and dry today. WBHS chorus in downtown Atlanta to walk from the Fox to the Varsity after 10:00 pm. Not the best area to walk in plus the lovely strip joint scenery along the was. Ask some of them what happened to the plans to feed the kids.
Where are the parents of these kids? they need to speak up for them. enough is enough

#5 anonymous on 09/22/11 at 07:55 PM

For all the ones that want to make negative comments about ALL school bus drivers, all I have to say is, there are openings for school bus drivers that are available. Why not come and apply, go through the training, and then go and be tested to get your Class B CDL, with the S and P endorsement. Then, make sure that they train you with students as you drive with what is equal to a classroom full of students that are BEHIND you, as you are driving down the road, watching for inconsiderate people that want to run your stop sign or roll their eyes because you didn't just drop off a child and then shut the door before they took the last step off the bus! I CHALLENGE YOU TO DO WHAT ALL RESPONSIBLE SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS DO EVERY DAY TO GET STUDENTS BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL AND HOME! I don't believe any of you could or would do it. But if you think you can, I DARE YOU TO TRY IT :)

#6 Left on 09/22/11 at 08:13 PM

It is not the quality of drivers that concern the parents it is the lack of communication between transportation and the schools and classes that are effected. Rules concerning trips have changed after numerous years last week. then if a bus is cancelled, no one tells the school. this has happened 3 times now. Get off your huff and puff and realize it ain't the public against you but public and workers opinion against how things are now being run

#6.1 Rhonda on 09/22/11 at 08:41 PM

@ Left.... Well put the drivers are doing the best with what they have. It’s the powers that be (Creel, Grant, Young and the BOE ) that the parents have a problem with. I fear this is just the bringing they do not seem to care about the safety of our children. The BOE is not listening to us the only way to fix this is INCUMBENT VOTE THEM OUT!!!!!!

#6.1.1 Fortitude on 09/23/11 at 07:52 AM

when was the last time you personally contacted any member on the BOE ? Or the last time you attended a meeting ? I will say that there are a few good board members who have the best interest for Barrow county and not all should be voted out, instead of re-electing every one of them, except for the one new one, you had your opportunity and you will have to wait until next year. So instead of vote all the incumbants out, which incumbants are doing a bad job ? you or anyone else can answer that

#6.1.1.1 I have on 09/23/11 at 09:02 AM

I contacted each and every one of them and got replies from 2. I went to the BOE meeting. You are right there are some good. But you can not ignore there are somethings going on that only they can fix and so far nothing. The blogger said a few weeks back where there is smoke....

#7 Michelle on 09/23/11 at 12:33 AM

Sorry - it still comes down to the BOE transportaion guidelines. Child MUST be 12 feet from the line of moving forward. Obviously she wasn't or she wouldn't have passed 40 feet (30 yards) without noticing a child was there. Time to buckup Cree - you're not doing the best of jobs.

#8 oh no on 09/23/11 at 09:06 AM

If you work any where for or near the system, you know better than to go to a board member.
Just ask anyone.

#8.1 Fortitude on 09/23/11 at 09:34 AM

Im sorry, I disagree. I knew little about the BOE and thought they were totaly responsible, instead, the superintendent is responsible for the day to day operations as the BOE does not micro manage. I contacted my BOE rep also, he is the only one that responds to my emails and I will tell you this, they (the ones I know) want to do more, but have little knowledge of what occurs daily. I suggest you all let the BOE know what can be done better, how else can things change if you sit back and do not speak up ?

#9 you don't on 09/23/11 at 10:31 AM

You have not walked in their shoes. you can disagree all you wish. If the BOE wants to know bad enough they will find out.

#10 Really? on 09/23/11 at 11:37 AM

Here's an idea - why don't you bloggers actually go to Dr. Creel or someone at the board office and ASK about what is going on with things you are worried over. Then you can run on and report facts instead of rumor and conjecture/

Just a thought.

#10.1 we have on 09/23/11 at 11:43 AM

and we are, but no one wants to listen

#11 Really? on 09/23/11 at 11:47 AM

Don't believe that for a minute

#11.1 really your beliefs on 09/23/11 at 12:34 PM

Your beliefs are you own.

#12 Wow on 09/23/11 at 12:19 PM

My daughter was one of these that went and saw Wicked with the Chorus .I am not complaining she told me she had to walk but I am not up there having a fit over this .They were all taken care of if you don't know the truth about why the bus couldn't pick them back up at the Fox maybe you need to shut your mouth and stop running it about the bus driver .The bus driver you are talking about is a good bus driver .Matter fact all of the bus drivers are good it's about time for everyone to lay off the bus drivers .Go complaining about something else like the grass being to tall .Lay off the school bus drivers I agree with the bus drivers if you think you can do a better job than go fill out an application .

#12.1 who is talking about the drivers? on 09/23/11 at 12:37 PM

Where do all of you get this. Not all of the drivers are the problem. could it be the policies?
You can tell me.

#12.2 yep on 09/23/11 at 12:51 PM

You want to complain about the thing at the Fox - complain to the Atlanta Police Department - it was their call.

#12.2.1 ok on 09/23/11 at 02:10 PM

Oh yes that would be the thing to do. Turn all these comprehensive bloggers lose on Atlanta.
Can a state succeed from a county?

#13 VOTER!!!!! on 09/23/11 at 02:33 PM

All they (BOE) has to do is pick up the paper turn on the computer and read! They (BOE )can see the employees and the parents are not happy its still on here under education headlines Creel apologizes for band bus fiasco look at all what was said. Do you think those were only parents, no they were Teachers, Lunchroom workers, Maintenances workers, Board office workers, business partners and even Bus Drivers that are not happy. Like one blogger said all of this negativity effectives our children education. The Children know the teacher, administrators, parents Lunchroom workers, maintenances workers, board office workers and bus drivers are not happy and it effects the way they do their Job. There is a negative atmosphere going on in the school system and it untlmily effects our children’s performance just take a look around we are going to be on the bottom of everything by the time her contract is up. I hope the seniors from this year and last year remember this when it comes time to vote. The way we can make a difference 1) Make sure everybody in your household is registered to vote (seniors this would be you) 2) VOTE!!!! the BOE OUT that have just sat and watched this happen. The BOE cannot say they did not know what was going on if they do not know how dissatisfy we all are then their head is in the sand and we do not want that kind of leadership either! We want a BOE that the superintendent works for not a BOE that works for a “control freak, micro manager, fit throwing, snot slinging tirades! WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH…… TAKE ACTION BOE OR WE WILL TAKE ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#13.1 voter also on 09/23/11 at 03:31 PM

Oh you bet my family will vote. Well said..well said..saying they want to know what is going on is trible..they know what is going on and hope that it will just go away. This will not

#13.2 How on 09/23/11 at 04:17 PM

And you know all these "facts" how?

#13.2.1 Anonymous on 09/23/11 at 05:05 PM

Because I can READ!!!!! and my head is not in the sand! People are not happy with Creel. Her employees are not happy and Barrow County schools is one of the largest employers in the county all we have to do to fix the problem is VOTE THE BOE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#13.2.1.1 Fortitude on 09/23/11 at 08:52 PM

So you "solution" to the mess Dan Cromer and Ron Saunders caused is to vote out the BOE ? Seems like a few bloggers on here represent the entire county. I challenge any of you to go to a school board meeting, I went this month to see if the BOE would vote for the charter recommendation. Parents were there for their childrens awards, but after that, when the school business was about to get started, only two parents stayed.
You want to place blame, fine, but you need to know what your talking about. If employees are too scared to let their principles know how bad they hate it or the BOE, then that is their fault. But for any of you say vote the entire BOE out, thinking that they control everything, you are mistaken and should spend more time with your kids doing homework instead of running your fingers off at the keyboard.
I emailed my BOE rep and asked what they do specifically. In the school directives, the BOE are designated as policy makers, votes on recommendations brought by the Super and is tasked with the evaluation of the Super for the school. He said they cannot micro-manage, but can request inquiries to the Super in reference to school funtions.
So before you all go and vote the three that are good out, you might want to learn who should stay and who should go

#13.2.1.1.1 who is blaming on 09/23/11 at 09:19 PM

I have never mentioned Cromer or Saunders. Liked them both. most Employees were happy under them.
Now how many times do I have to say, there are a good many of us who go to the BOE meeting, esp last time. We too have talked to the BOE. Results 0. So when it come4s election time, my rep is not getting my vote or my mothers or fathers or sisters and her family.... that simple.You get the picture. They don't.

#13.2.1.1.1.1 Fortitude on 09/23/11 at 10:04 PM

Gotcha. See, I have been there and stayed so we might have seen each other, but it would be a far cry and you know it, that no parents attend these meetings unless they are staff. It is sad, i stayed and meet my rep in the parking lot and he has alway's been great.
Cromer and Saunders were in different social and economic times, but they busted the county back and as Cromer said last time, he was scared of the budget and Im sure he would like to raise taxes, as he and Saunders liked to spend money when they were the superintendents. Remember Saunders secretary that was making $80k a year with a high school education ? That is what the current BOE is dealing with and Creel also. I will say she is not the "friendliest" but we cannot give someone a year to fix issues that took several years to make

#13.2.1.1.1.1.1 did not get me on 09/23/11 at 10:10 PM

There were 5 of us there. 3 left and 2 stayed to the end.

#14 How on 09/23/11 at 05:32 PM

And where did you read these so called facts?

#15 Cindy on 09/23/11 at 05:37 PM

What facts are you talking about? Please use complete sentences.

#16 How on 09/23/11 at 05:45 PM

The facts that Anonymous 13.2.1 said he or she read regarding Dr Creel and the BOE etc from the rant at 13.

#17 @ How on #16 on 09/23/11 at 09:28 PM

To How, I said go to the past article and READ! The article is title "Creel apologizes for band bus fiasco" READ what was written those comments were not just from Band Parents there were over 180 comments go to Education Headlines click on all education headlines then click on the story "Creel apologizes for band bus fiasco" Read and then reread if you need to. People have had enough of Creel and the screw ups at transportation! It's time to take action INCUMBENT VOTE THEM OUT!!!!!!

#17.1 How on 09/23/11 at 09:39 PM

Oh. I read all those. Cool. I want to play too.

Here are some facts ( and they have to be facts because you are reading them here in this blog too!!)

The world is octagon shaped.
The sky is sherbet lime green
Trees are polkadot pink and yellow
Dogs meow.
Cars run on tiny little wheels with gophers running in them.

Who's next to play?

#18 ok I will type it again......... on 09/23/11 at 09:56 PM

The FACT I was talking about was.... here it is are you reading???? I will type s l o w so you might understand what I am saying.
The FACT you get from reading the article is..... PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH CREEL!!!!! Get it???

#18.1 How on 09/23/11 at 10:29 PM

Lord you are slow.

The point is that just because you READ something some anonymous twit or two posts on a blog comment section does not mean it is a FACT.

For all you know I posted all 180 of those posts ( unless you did).

#18.1.1 fact on 09/23/11 at 10:41 PM

I was there and am not a twit. I think one of the bloggers is quoted as saying where there is smoke there is usually a fire. well....There is way tooooo much information concerning schools and personel and the remodeling of the old BES building 3 times and NCLB for it to come from outside the system. ie band parents. People inside were using that spot to send messages for those who could or would read them.
Rest assured, there is some facts in there.

#18.1.1.1 me too on 09/23/11 at 10:46 PM

I was also a witness to the disgraceful show along with my mom and dad and niece and nephew and younger daughter.
Not all of those blogs came from band parents. I learned alot by reading them. I had no idea all of this was going on. yes it is fact about new high school, Yes it is a fact that a good man was discredited badly that night,
If any one is interest as why the next BOE election will be the largest ever. let them read. No BOE member has commented to me.

#18.1.1.2 Anonymous on 09/23/11 at 10:54 PM

Don't forget about the remolding of Transportation office's that is less than 3 years old. Where is that money coming from they are tearing out walls and putting in new ones. It’s not that old WHY are they throwing money away!!!!! Is Creel putting her an office in over there so she can run it better? Again I will ask WHY are we paying Young?

#18.1.1.3 How on 09/23/11 at 10:56 PM

So now you are blaming Creel for NCLB?
That's just insane.

#18.1.1.3.1 reality on 09/24/11 at 10:12 AM

How could you get that comment from what you have just read?

#18.1.1.3.1.1 How on 09/24/11 at 10:22 AM

Read 18.1.1 by fact

#18.1.1.3.2 okay on 09/24/11 at 10:48 AM

I took that to that to mean the remodeling to keep from busing students out of county. As one blogger already stated. It was an elem too old and delapidated to fix so we get a new ele. next hear we get it remodeled for a prek and theyn we can not afford that, then all of the sudden with expensive remodeling it becomes a high school. If that be the case, why could it no have stayed an elem. with expensive remodeling except to keep from busing student outside the county.

#18.1.2 Yep you are slow on 09/23/11 at 10:44 PM

ok.... maybe I need to say it another way..... PAY ATTENTION!!! I said people are not happy with CREEL and that is a fact I derived from all the negative comments about her on the other article. ( I was not saying they were true are not true just that people don’t like her way of management ) I was not saying or quoting any facts nor was I posting a fact. I said I came to the conclusion that the public along with myself were not happy with Creels job performance. GET IT NOW!!!!

#18.1.2.1 How on 09/23/11 at 10:51 PM

So you finally admit that none of this is actual fact. It is merely conjecture and the opinion of maybe a few ticked off people.
Thank you.

#18.1.2.1.1 you are too slow must be a native.... on 09/23/11 at 11:04 PM

No that’s not what I said. (but where there is smoke there is fire) I said people don't like Creel's management skills and the BOE need to take heed to the FACT that people don't like the way she is running the system and do something about it or suffer the consequence which will come in the form of VOTES!!!

#18.1.2.2 so was I on 09/23/11 at 10:54 PM

I was also there and again last week with the big show with the big powerful people directing a man on how to clean the tires in front of everyone and how they went on the bus and inspected to see that all seats were filled. disgusting. I follow the buses each week.
I was there again tonight and witnessed it again. Intimidation maybe. Not to me, they work for me, My tax dollars help pay them AI voted them in and I will vote every last one of them out with everything I have if it gets rid of her. they can all go.

#18.1.2.2.1 How on 09/23/11 at 11:01 PM

Which is EXACTLY what bloggers demanded they do. You all 'invited' Creel and her people to come help with the buses in your rants and now, after they did, you want to roast them alive for it.
Crazy.

#18.1.2.2.1.1 Anonymous on 09/23/11 at 11:10 PM

We wanted her to come see for herself that they did need 4 buses. We did not ask her to come look down her nose at us and make a mockery of our need for 4 buses.

#18.1.2.2.1.1.1 Wow on 09/23/11 at 11:27 PM

Really? She mocked you? How? Did she repeat what you said in a funny voice or stick her tongue out at you?

#18.1.2.2.1.1.1.1 depending on 09/24/11 at 12:23 AM

Depending on the depth of the anger and frustration we felt at what the whole group went through is how things are being perceived now. I do not notice any animosity with the band director or the auxiliary director toward the advanced inspection group. Maybe we should take our direction from them. I saw them in pleasant conversation last week as I dropped my daughter off. As long as the county provides those kids with a safe way to travel 4 buses, I will be satisfied for now. However, election time for my rep will be a sad day if asked for my vote. it just won't happen.
It is going to take a whole PR team to get the BOE and Creel back in the good graces of this end of the county. They better start with keeping it nice to Matt Fuller.

#18.1.2.2.2 u2funny on 09/24/11 at 12:30 AM

Don't worry about the comments. The whole group will remember at the end of this that this bus situation and the way they did not handle it was their political Alamo.

#19 INCUMBENT BOE VOTE THEM OUT!!!!!! on 09/23/11 at 10:02 PM

We need new blood
INCUMBENT BOE VOTE THEM OUT!!!!!!

#20 Tom on 09/24/11 at 12:04 PM

Does the BOE even know Creel got rid of the Activity Drivers? This county had 4 activity drivers for 15 years and things went great! They knew how to get places how to move around Atlanta and other places to make the trips safer for the students now they let any Tom Dick or Harry drive the trips some don't know how to go from one school to another in Barrow let alone in another county. I mean really they have
drivers that get lost from one end of the county to the other and then they
turn around and send them to Atlanta....... They were the best no one ever complained
about trips when they were here and now they complain all the time this Fox trip was
just the latest.

#20.1 Anon on 10/03/11 at 01:47 AM

I believe you are just upset over the money you lost ,and they are trying to be fair about it now,by rotating the trips. It will take more than 2 years to clean up Sanders, Cantrell's crap ,Change is good if you don't like it retire! I personally think Creel, Grant and Young are doing a fine job! Just my opinion ,Ms. Young is more involved than the last director, never seen him always behind locked closed doors and we all know why! The trash has been taken out since Creel got here and very THANKFUL for her! have you ever seen the 2nd in command under Sanders at transportation? NO! Jake Grant picks up trash off the bus yard ! He has gotten us more buses than anyone and he truly cares about the department!

#20.1.1 ha on 10/03/11 at 06:32 AM

Why would she be cleaning up Saunders mess? She has made a big enough mess on her own! that should be where she cleans up!

#20.1.2 So very wrong on 10/03/11 at 06:38 AM

You know, Jake Grant is a class act! and I don't know Ms. Young. but I do know Creel and I do know you have knowledge so you are in the system. i just hope you always support her and give in to her tantrums. If not bud you will have joined the rest of us..FED UP

#20.1.3 good change on 10/03/11 at 06:42 AM

Yep, change is good WHEN it is productive and not a knee jerk reaction for a quick fix only to have to be amended over and over and over again to cover all the loose ends that were left out just because it was a knee jerk! the change I want to see is on the BOE and Creel replaced.

#20.1.4 trash? on 10/03/11 at 06:44 AM

Trash ain't out if ya keep bringing it in

#20.1.5 no one said on 10/03/11 at 06:52 AM

No one said Grant was not doing his job. He has always been available and in the schools, on site and on top of things.
But give me a break, we see Creel in photo ops., loading buses at BOTH schools. I would like to see her working..calmly and quit blaming others for her mistakes. If you do anything she directs you, you better have it in an email.

#20.1.5.1 right on 10/03/11 at 07:11 AM

and I save every email too

#21 you just told them on 09/24/11 at 12:15 PM

Maybe they will read some of this. Of course some readers do not think facts are printed here. Maybe this is something that the doubters can check.
thanks

#22 NO ACTIVITY DRIVER on 09/24/11 at 07:10 PM

All they have to do is call the bus shop and ask young if you can get her to answer the phone ..... she is always in a "meeting" or "out of the office" so they say.

#23 Sheesh on 10/03/11 at 10:27 AM

Wow! Nearly 70 posts and almost 1 or 2 actual facts. Dare I say the Barrow Barn Crawlers are actually improving their hate filled BS?

Except Cindy of course who thinks the world is a big spelling bee.

The point is even our dumbest poster knows if you keep repeating a lie over and over, the uniformed and uneducated (barrow voters) will eventually believe anything.

Why would anyone want to lead in such a hateful community? Good luck attracting one until we flush this blog down the toilet.

** Please don't answer until Cindy get's done with her spell check. Thanks

#23.1 uninformed on 10/03/11 at 11:22 AM

How do you know there are only one or two facts here? You don't. So BEFORE you blog maybe you could try get some instead of throwing the uninformed messages. there are some of here that know exactly what is going on.

#24 Anonymous on 10/05/11 at 10:29 PM

LOL, to solve this problem, if your gonna have them, then take them to school and pick them up. In the financial crisis we are in, just think how much we would save if we could cut out the transportation budget. All those employees, busses, law suits, ie. Would be a great tax cut for everyone.

#24.1 just curious on 10/08/11 at 03:37 PM

I like it! Why is transportation to school a right? I never rode a bus to school; we've always taken my kids to school. Save the school a ton of money and put the responsibility back on the parents where it belongs.

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Bus driver fired over ‘dragging’ incident

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