Bus driver lets students drive bus

Bus driver lets students drive bus

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Wednesday, September 15. 2010

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By Cindy Eckles

A Dodge County school bus driver has been fired after she let students drive her bus with other students aboard.
The bus driver, Patricia Cuda has been charged with seven counts of reckless conduct and two counts of allowing unlicensed persons to drive.

According to the report from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, three students told their parents about a Dodge County school bus driver allowing other students to drive the school bus last week.

Everett Asbell called the Dodge County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, after his three children (Christin, Kaylin and Allison) got off the school bus and told him that the bus driver had let two juveniles drive the bus on their way home from school.

According to the sheriff’s report, Wayne Smalley also filed a complaint after his two children (Dana and Taylor) told him about the juveniles driving the school bus.

Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. T. Riddle reported that the three Asbell students, the two Smalley students and one other student (Tony Williams) stated that bus driver Cuda had allowed her daughter (Victoria) to drive down the Airport Road and then allowed student Seth Peacock to drive down Sophie Drive.
Sgt. Riddle talked with Peacock who admitted to driving the bus. Williams told Sgt. Riddle that Victoria had driven the bus on the Airport Road.

The sheriff’s report also stated that Cuda had been to the Asbell home to apologize for letting the children drive the bus, but had left before Sgt. Riddle could speak with her.

Dodge County School Superintendent Dr. Darrel May was notified of the accusations and immediately suspended Cuda from driving the bus until he was able to meet with her and the transportation director.
On Thursday, September 9, 2010, Dr. May met with Cuda, transportation director Reg Tomberlin and members from the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office. “The driver was verbally reprimanded for her action and her position with the Dodge County Board of Education was terminated,” commented Dr. May.

Dr. May added that the action he took was validated by the board of education at their meeting on Thursday night.

Board members present at the meeting for executive session were: chairman Shirley Ikedionwu, vice-chairman Dougie Martin, Rocky Stuckey, Neil Spradley, Betsy Thomas and Chuck Parkerson. Board member Kim Sheffield was not at the meeting.

Oconee District Attorney Tim Vaughn did not have a comment because he stated that he had not been able to speak to the individuals involved in the incident as of press time.

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#1 Pinkie on 09/15/10 at 11:08 AM [Reply]

Well,it finally happened! The kids on the bus have caused the driver to lose her/his mind! Kids ride the bus,mis-behave,get written up, get slapped on the wrist,get written up,get thrown off for a day or two,get written up, maybe get another slap because MY baby just COULDN'T be doing the things the driver said, they're just picking on him. Frankly, EVERY parent in Dodge County who has a kid on the bus should be MADE to drive it for a week. I can bet that the behavior of the kids would be a lot different after that! I am totally surprised that we don't see drivers run screaming from the buses every day! Of course there is NO excuse for a driver to practice this kind of gross negligence, but people do not give drivers the respect they deserve. Their job is harder than a teacher's, because they have to handle more kids in a SMALLER space. Plus, they have to control a huge vehicle and observe all safety rules of the road and the transportation department. It is a tough job and my hat is off to all drivers. Salute, guys & gals!

#1.1 Cherokee on 09/15/10 at 03:15 PM [Reply]

I get the picture of what you are saying with a sense of humour and with the truth. I see you saw an oppertunity to bring out some great points and sometime when I comment I bring out points whether someones agrees with it or not. All you did was allow us to take somethings into consideration. Watch out for school bus the kids might have to drive because they have drove the driver crazy so he/she cannot drive so the kids need to get home, so they drive themselves. The kids can be rude on a bus especially in the afternoon, they be throwing things out the window and yelling, I don't see a driver can concentrate on driving yes some of them act like Bey Bey kids, thank God driving the bus was not my occupation because I would have stopped and dialed 911 for help many of days.

#1.1.1 Anonymous on 09/18/10 at 12:07 PM [Reply]

these ppl are just kids , yes i understand they can be a handful but rember u was once one your self what do u expect ? u bet u would love to see them locked away if that happends then what about the drivers job? wont be a need for it..good save tax money.

#1.2 anonymous on 09/15/10 at 08:52 PM [Reply]

I hope the parents of every child that was on that bus when the other two children drove it call CPS and file a complaint. It's unbelievable that Ms. Cuda put the safety of those children at risk! Shame on you!

#1.2.1 Anonymous on 07/25/11 at 10:49 PM [Reply]

hey it was a mistake

#2 Edrese Johnson on 09/15/10 at 11:15 AM [Reply]

WOW......... There's really nothing you can say on this topic.... What a retard!!!!!

#2.1 Anonymous on 09/16/10 at 09:49 AM [Reply]

As a Transportation Coordinator for people w/disabilities I resent your comment/choice of words. That is a slam to the people we transport,they are smarter than Ms.Cuda !!!

#3 Anonymous on 09/15/10 at 02:46 PM [Reply]

Those kids didnt drive there bus driver to be crazy why would anyone let kids drive a bus? she is a mother and one of the kids that drove the bus was her own daughter ! talk about child endangerment ! Just plain out dumb!

#4 Cherokee on 09/15/10 at 02:51 PM [Reply]

This bus driver needs some psychiatric help for whatever reason. An adult should not let a kid drive a car but to let the kids drive a bus and putting themselves and others in a high accident risk is outrageous. Thank God no accident occured because someone could have been injured or killed. Well, I guess now the parents know their kids can drive a bus so they need to keep the family car keys hidden so the kids donot try driving the family car, when a kid gets gas fever they want to continue to drive even before their time to get a driver's permit.

#4.1 Anonymous on 09/16/10 at 04:46 AM [Reply]

Stupidity does not necessarily warrant psychiatric help. This was a stupid incident. Pinkie hit it on the head in comment #6.

#5 Anonymous on 09/15/10 at 04:42 PM [Reply]

I believe if a bus driver is that comforted with students to let them drive the school bus that the driver just as well go out and party with them on Saturday night. What I am saying that there should be a different in an adult as being a bus driver and a student relationship than being buddy, buddy. by the way is it written in the policy that you should not let your students drive the bus or it just plain common sense.

#6 Pinkie on 09/15/10 at 06:24 PM [Reply]

Editors..will you kindly delete the comment that I sent that is as yet unpublished? I will try to be more careful when submitting a comment and I thank you very much...Please publish this one instead.

There is absolutely NO excuse for Ms Cuda's actions. Bus drivers have a very tough job and sometimes lack the support they should have to discipline and weed out the trouble-makers on the bus.

Let us remember Ms Cuda in our prayers, because, obviously, there was a huge lapse in judgement during this incident. Ms Cuda has been driving the bus for a number of years and has never before exhibited any risky and dangerous behavior such as this.

May we remember the many excellent and very dependable drivers, who care deeply for the children and their safety. I hope, that we, as parents, continually stress to our bus-riding children, the importance of sitting in our seats and observing the rules of the driver and school system. Riding the bus is a PRIVILEGE, and should be appreciated.

#7 Anonymous on 09/16/10 at 07:26 AM [Reply]

She has also been reported for driving while texting and talking on her cell and pumping the breaks to make the kids be quite and swerving in lanes as to "play" with the kids . You tell me why they havent done wrote her up ?? and if she is on meds that make her have trouble making decisions then shame on her and the bus shop for letting her be behind the wheel at all ! And if it were your kids you of would be outraged as im sure those parents were.

#8 Dumbfounded on 09/16/10 at 10:21 AM [Reply]

I am appalled. As the transportation director for a school district - I believe the Board acted resposibly. I would have terminated the driver before she had a chance to get off the bus. No excuse can condone this type of behavior!

#9 Anonymous on 09/16/10 at 06:54 PM [Reply]

I am now out of school and in college; but Ms. Cuda was my bus driver and I have siblings who are currently riding that bus. I just ask that everyone continues to pray for her because everyone's perception of morality and good judgment is not the same. What someone else feels is a lapse in judgment can simply be "breaking the rules." I just thank God that no one was hurt!!!

#10 Rather not say. on 09/16/10 at 09:00 PM [Reply]

Hope the writer of comment #8 isn't from the Bleckley County school district. They have an older female bus driver that has
run me off the road twice in the last month. Glad I don't go to
Cochran more than a few times a month.

#11 Matt Oxley on 09/16/10 at 09:40 PM [Reply]

Is there a reason why the childrens' names have been included on this article both in print and online?

#11.1 Cherokee on 09/17/10 at 01:25 PM [Reply]

Matt I wanted to question the same thing you did. Although they are Not Accused of a crime, they are consider juveniles. They should have NOT been exposed to the public so that we know who they are, one reason being is that they might be a target at school by their peers for whatever reason.

#11.1.1 Chuck on 09/17/10 at 03:12 PM [Reply]

The State law concerning publishing the names of juveniles states that their names may not be published only if they have been accused of or committed a crime. We checked with the District Attorney and he had no intention of charging the juveniles with anything. We made the decision to print the names to prevent rumors from starting. We like to inform the public because "We're There When You Need To Know."

#11.1.2 Asbell on 09/17/10 at 09:40 PM [Reply]

Some of the kids have been talked about and picked on about this. we also think that it was wrong and we are upset about the paper putting the names of our kids out there !! They could have asked or told us so we could have been aware . Im glad they got two out of the three names wrong but this is a small town. I think the kids did the right thing and the kids who are mad and picking on others because they miss Ms.Pat because she let them do what ever they wanted , should be mad at her and not the other kids. It was her fault!

#11.1.2.1 Cherokee on 09/18/10 at 05:43 PM [Reply]

Just as I predicted this would happen, I read it did. Now someone has some explaining to do to the parents and some apologies too. I am sorry the kids are being targed. I pray it does get squashed before it gets blown out of the water.

#12 Mrs. Mitchell on 09/17/10 at 12:44 PM [Reply]

My brother, son, daughter, and 4 nieces and 1 nephew currently rides that same bus...To be perfectly honest, they were the last ones put off before this incident happened. After talking with them, we found out a lot more to this incident. Before this, we would have considered her one of the best driver's that this route has ever had, considering the fact that we are so close to the Laurens's County line and she has one of the longest routes. I don't know that I would call this a lapse in judgement, I mean really we're in Eastman, and we as parents let our children drive the car all the time on those back roads but the SCHOOL BUS, come on Ms. Pat??? Really!!! My husband is a school bus driver, and he tells me the horror stories of the kids on the bus, but even he was a bit upset (okay he was pissed) about this situation... The kids actually miss having her drive, but I would rather them have a driver who won't let them talk than to have one that may cause them their lives...

#13 Kent on 09/18/10 at 06:54 PM [Reply]

This is the exact reason we homeschool our kids! Why is she not charged with attempted manslaughter? She is an adult and should be held accountable (No excuses). She endangered the lives of the kids and drivers on the road, just like a drunk driver would. I would probably rather meet a drunk driver head on than a rambuctious kid driving a bus. Truth is the truth. The justice system needs to start setting examples.

#13.1 Cherokee on 09/20/10 at 09:40 AM [Reply]

Attempted manslaughter? NO, there was no accident and no one was hurt so there is no law on the books to charge her with attempted manslaughter.

#14 kent on 09/20/10 at 10:22 AM [Reply]

Not manslaughter. Attempted manslauter. How do we know what could of happened, Thank God it didn't. Maybe there is no exact law to charge her with it, but I beleive she should serve some good time in prison for this idiotic desicion. At least in a mental institution! This lady had a job and gets paid for her job, It is not ahh, poor lady.

#15 Cherokee on 09/21/10 at 08:51 AM [Reply]

She cannot be charged with attempted manslaughter because no accident happened and no one was hurt. Let us just say she needs her head examine by a pych. doctor because she was not thinking within the scope of reality. It seems as if she put her mind in a fantasy land with the kids at a critical time like this.

#16 Rather not say on 09/23/10 at 12:48 PM [Reply]

Remarks from comment # 10.At least one of the bus drivers in Bleckley Co.needs some serious help. I do know whom you were referring too and I have also been ran off the road by her. Also she has used the school bus for many things not school related including moving a dead horse out of her yard by pulling it and dragging it with her bus into the woods. The School Board really needs to look at their drivers and drug test them more carefully.

#17 Mike Warren on 07/28/11 at 12:43 AM [Reply]

Well, Well, Dodge County, I see nothing has changed since I left in 2009. Right now I sit in Afghanistan, wearing an U.S Army uniform. I'm over here protecting your right to gossip, and spread b.s. on everyone. I am protecting your right to be judgmental, which you very often use. A county full of hipocrits, drug addicts, and out right closed minded people.
I believe, my god mother, Patricia, has been punished for what she did, let it go.
and don't worry, I will be back home in Dodge soon.

#18 Kyle on 09/03/11 at 05:33 AM [Reply]

First of all DID YOU EVEN READ ALL OF THE *beep* (very explict word) STORY PAST THE PART WHERE SHE GOT FIRED?

IT SAID THEY ONLY DROVE ON A TINY STREET! Airport Drive and Sophia street by two students. NOT ALL OVER THE EXPLICT COUNTY LIKE YOU GUYS MAKE IT OUT TO BE!!!!!! In other words QUIT EXAGGERATING!! Good Lord! *beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*

Scar from Lion King: "I'm surrounded by idiots."

*Takes several deep breaths to calm down*

Since she has been a bus driver for so long I don't think she would just choose ANY kid to let them drive the *beeping* bus.

I really doubt it was luck nobody got killed. She knew the particular students driving the bus were responsible enough about safety and likely never got in trouble at school so what's the harm in letting a responsible student drive down a short street.

#19 Kyle on 09/03/11 at 05:36 AM [Reply]

Furthermore:

I wonder if these two students that drove lived by those streets so the kids knew the streets *Airport drive and Sophia streets* like the back of their hands.

(What does the back of your hands look like?)

In that case I do not see ANY harm in letting them drive as long as the driver can reach over to control in an emergency which I am sure Cody was *ready*.

I am over 18 and have an instructon permit that lets me drive as long as I have someone seated by me that has a valid driver's license who can take over in an emergency situation or coach me thru. One way or the other.

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