and a parent making her "mistake", (or even just 15 minutes worth if discovered) is arrested, charged with chlid endangerment, reported to CPS, can loose custody of their children, etc. . .. Why should the bus driver be treated differently than a PARENT?????

Thank the union that the bus driver is treated with so much more "understanding" than a PARENT doing the same thing would be. (/sarc).

and when they start school - you have phantom "pains" (just like a new amputee), of constantly counting heads, and wondering where they are until you remember they're at school! <lol> I was looking over my shoulder for years.

Then maybe she should be COMPETENT in doing her job! there are lots of people looking for work in this economy - many of whom ALSO have children and bills to pay. Many of those would also pay more attention to their passengers than this woman did.

The girl *was* dropped off to an unsuspecting mother. The mom figured out something was wrong and asked her daughter what was wrong. The four year old told her she'd been left on the bus - waiting and waiting and waiting.

I volunteered in my children's elementary school. Parents were asked to call in before school starts (or at least before attendance roles made it to the office. It also served as a reminder for sub's to take attendence.) to verify their children's absence. Children whose parent did NOT call, were called. So that everyone is accounted for. Many parents didn't bother to call, and many of those only had an answering machine, but we tried to make contact to get verification of the child's whereabouts. Children who were considered "at risk", had every available phone number called in an attempt to get ahold of a parent.

As a four year old, she would only be doing a half day program - or three hours. She would have been found when the bus driver returned to pick up the other two children from the school to take them home. So, no school.

I'm apoplectic over this driver's gross incompetence, that the district has yet to fire (though they could claim they're covering their rears so no potential for a lawsuit from the driver after she's fired). I agree with mom - FIRE HER. The teacher needs to be censured for not taking attendence. (kids do get sick and miss school after all)

How on earth can a driver, who is only in charge of THREE passengers, not notice only two got off?????? This wasn't a full size school bus, but one of those little tiny ones.

It's not hard to count to three. My four year old mastered "THREE", and its combinations. It's not hard to count to two, and KNOW you haven't reached THREE yet.

And chrissy had a surplus when she took office . . . .

Does anyone know what the constitutionality is of this action

I don't think they care. The Constitutionality (or lack thereof) of anything they've done/proposed hasn't slowed them down yet.