A school bus driver in Pennsylvania has been dismissed from her role after she posted a sign on her vehicle that explicitly banned students from speaking Spanish. Diane Crawford, 66, has now broken a ten-month silence to defend her actions, though she concedes she "should've worded it different."
The Controversial Sign and Immediate Fallout
The incident unfolded in late January when a handwritten note appeared on Crawford's bus. It stated: 'Out of respect to English-only students, there will be no speaking Spanish on this bus.' The note was signed cryptically by 'ownership/management.'
The discovery of the sign prompted an immediate investigation by the Juniata County School District and Rohrer Buses, the contractor for the route. Diane Crawford was fired on February 1, just a week after the note was posted. The district and bus company condemned the sign as "racially insensitive."
Crawford's Defence and Claim of Unfair Dismissal
After months of quiet, Crawford spoke to CBS 21 on December 18. She insisted her intention was not to be racially insensitive. She claimed the note was directed at one bilingual student who, she said, had a history of "riling up" other children.
"I didn't know if he was bullying somebody, telling them to do something they shouldn't do," Crawford explained. "Maybe it should have said, 'No bullying in any language,' but I didn't mean it to be anything but to correct him."
Contradicting the official account, Crawford alleges that neither a suspension nor a proper investigation ever took place. She is now seeking $30,000 in compensation for her losses and wants the district to admit they were wrong. Having driven for the district for over 30 years, she said, "I dedicated everything I had to driving the bus. And it was for the kids I loved the kids."
Official Response and Community Context
In response to Crawford's claims, Rohrer Buses and Juniata County School District issued a joint statement reaffirming their decision. They stated her "conduct did not align with the standards and expectations for student transportation providers."
Following the incident, the district conducted mandatory professional training for all transportation staff in April. This training focused on employer responsibilities, professional expectations, student equity, and appropriate response protocols.
The case highlights tensions in a community where demographic diversity is limited. According to US Census data, 94% of Juniata County's population is white, with just over 900 residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
Crawford, who purchased her own bus in 2024 after being a subcontractor for nearly 12 years, says the dismissal has left her financially strained. "I'm on Medicare and Medicaid now and SNAP," she revealed. "I had to go on antidepressants because of this."
