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Driver thrown under the bus

We have known Jim Schroeder, the recently fired Spokane Public Schools bus driver, for 47 years. Jim has a master’s degree in psychology. He founded the department of hearing impairment education at Spokane Falls Community College and was a school psychologist for many years. He is extremely skilled at managing children’s behavior.

He is not driving a bus primarily for the money. He is someone who likes to stay busy in retirement and he cares deeply about children. If Jim had struck the child in question, we would vote to fire him. He was attempting to maintain a safe environment on the bus. He had asked for help on the bus, we assume so that he could drive without undue distraction. It is significant that after firing Schroeder, the district and bus company placed an aide on his route and has the child in restraints while the bus is traveling.

The community needs to step up and support Jim Schroeder. The bus company needs to put him back to work.

Steven and Karen Heaps

Spokane Valley

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