Children and consumers’ right to choose payday loans were harmed in the making of this story. While neither of these qualifies as breaking news, they are juicy examples of how institutions fail to act in the best interests of the public.
Bus driver goes berserk
Jennifer Khonsair, a Plano Independent School District (ISD) parent in Plano, Texas is outraged. After her son Kaleb, 13, was grabbed and spanked by school bus driver Gail Atkins, the school district went on to suspend Kaleb for an unrelated incident that may or may not have happened.
Could it have anything to do with the fact that Ms. Khonsair threatened to go to the press with a video of the confrontation between Atkins and her son?
“I think they were doing it to get back at me,” Khonsair said. “My son swears it was totally fabricated, and I believe him.”
Just as banks and the media fabricate the “evil predator” propaganda machine against payday loans…
Plano ISD straps on the shield of “policy”
Here’s district spokeswoman Nancy Long in damage control mode:
The district is involved in an ongoing investigation and will not comment on allegations related to this matter. The district will not discuss discipline matters related to a specific student.
Ms. Khonsari claims that there were two separate incidents between Kaleb and Atkins, and she has security camera footage to back it up. While the school district won’t release the driver’s name, it is known to be Gail Atkins.
What does Ms. Atikins have to say for herself?
A Dallas News reporter called Ms. Atkins for comment, and she said, “I’m not interested in anything you have to ask or say.”
Video footage shows Kaleb leaning from his seat and yelling toward the back of the bus. Atikins asks him to stop, Kaleb stands up and laughs at her then continues his conversation.
At this point, Atkins appears to lose control. She shouts at the boy, grabs him and pulls him over her lap. After a spanking, Kaleb is pushed back to his seat.
Clearly Kaleb is being disrespectful. But is this appropriate discipline?
Ms. Khonsari says her son has ADHD and is “rambunctious.” Despite clear provocation, however, the mother makes her stance clear:
That doesn’t give her the right to touch my child.
Gail Atkins is currently on paid leave. Payday loans are still around, but there are plenty of lawmakers who have never had to seek a short-term loan in their lives that want to take away your right to choose. Taking away choice is not discipline, whether it comes from a school district or a senator. Discipline is about choice.
- School bus cameras target dangerous drivers
- Bus Driver Fired For Harassing Special-Needs Children
- Pediatricians Don’t Routinely Ask About Mental Health
- No More Plan to Outfit Buses with Security Cameras
Discussion of Plano ISD Bus Spanking and Payday Loans | Discipline is Choice