Pennsylvania kids received a warning not to speak Spanish on a school bus, with the rationale being “out of respect to English-only students.” This incident has prompted an investigation by the local school district.
“Out of respect for English only students there will be NO speaking Spanish on this bus!” a the sign read in a photo shared to social media. The message was attributed to “owner/management.”
After the sign caught people’s attention, it sparked conversations that prompted the Juniata County School District to initiate an investigation. Superintendent Christie L. Holderman stated that the school district promptly responded by taking appropriate measures to address the situation.
“We remain fully dedicated to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all of our students, both on and off the bus. We understand the gravity of this situation, and we apologize again for any concern it may have caused,” Holderman said.
According to WHTM, Rohrer Bus, the company responsible for the district’s bus services, has stated that the sign with the misleading “owner/management” signature was not authorized by them.
The company stated that they are collaborating with the school district to promptly investigate the incident. They emphasized that the message displayed on the sign goes against their core values.
“As a precautionary measure, we have suspended the transportation provider involved pending the outcome of the investigation,” Rohrer Bus said in a statement. “We recognize the seriousness of this situation and the impact it may have on our community. Rohrer Bus is committed to taking proactive steps to prevent such incidents in the future.”