Parents should refrain from boarding their student’s bus

State law forbids parents of public school students from boarding their student’s bus to address the driver or another student.  Because of what happened three times in the last week, Oconee School District issued the following statement, coupled with an excerpt from state law: “At no times were any students in danger.  However, these actions are unacceptable and are actually against the law.  SC 59-67-245 states:

 

‘No person shall willfully and wrongfully interfere with the operation of a school bus, either public or private, by boarding, restricting movement or using threats, either physical or verbal, to the driver or any passenger while the bus is engaged in the transportation of pupils to and from school or any lawful school activity or while passengers are entering or leaving the bus nor shall any person willfully fail or refuse to obey a lawful order of a school bus driver relating to the occupancy of a school bus.  The use of threatening, obscene or profane language addressed to the driver of any passenger entering, leaving, or waiting for a school bus is disorderly conduct and any person convicted for the use of such language shall be punished as provided in Section 16-17-530.  Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to infringe upon the power and duties of duly constituted authorities.’

“The district would like to remind parents to reach out to their student’s school if they have an issue involving a situation that occurred on a school bus.  Please note, the district may contact law enforcement to purse the appropriate charges if a parent or any other adult interferes with the operation of a school bus as defined in the law.”