A shocking sign banning students from speaking Spanish was plastered on a Pennsylvania school bus this week — prompting outrage and a bus company to be banned.
The handwritten note — reading “Out of respect for English only students there will be NO speaking Spanish on this bus!” — was found by a furious parent of Juniata County School District.
According to the latest US Census data, Juniata County is overwhelmingly white — with 94% of the population identifying as such.
Hispanic and Latino peoples make up the second-most populous race in the county, but just 900 people of the 23,500-strong population are categorized as such.
It is unclear how long the sign was posted inside the school bus. U.S. Census data from 2020 said over 900 people in Juniata County were considered Hispanic or Latino at the time.
The sign was signed by “owner/management” — who has since been barred from working with the district.
Neither the district nor Rohrer Bus, which connects the school district with bus operators, would disclose who the owner is, but both adamantly claimed they had nothing to do with the sign.
“Initial reports referencing the source of the note as “owner/management” create the perception that this note was authorized by representatives of Rohrer Bus,” the company said in a statement Saturday.
“We want to make it explicitly clear that Rohrer Bus did not author or endorse this statement in any way. Such language and sentiments are entirely contrary to our company’s values and commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all students, families, and staff.”
The “transportation partner” did not name the bus operator, but said it suspended the provider “as a precautionary measure.”
Rohrer Bus and officials from the Juniata County School District have launched an investigation into the incident
“Please know that we took immediate and appropriate action to address the situation. We are currently investigating the incident thoroughly and are ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to prevent something like this from happening again,” the district’s superintendent, Christie Holderman, said in a statement Saturday.
“We understand the gravity of this situation, and we apologize again for any concern it may have caused. Thank you for your continued support as we work through this matter.”
The school district did not immediately respond to further questions about what “immediate action” was taken.
In light of the incident, Rohrer Bus plans to implement additional training programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
