A 66-year-old Pennsylvania school bus driver with three decades of experience faces a federal civil rights investigation after being fired for posting an “English-only” sign that she claims was meant to stop student bullying, not discriminate against Spanish speakers.
Story Overview
- Diane Crawford terminated in February 2025 after posting “Out of respect to English-only students, there will be no speaking Spanish on this bus” sign
- DOJ Civil Rights Division reportedly reviewing the case for potential civil rights violations following viral resurgence
- Crawford claims sign was poorly worded response to bilingual student’s alleged bullying behavior, not racial discrimination
- School district and contractor condemned sign as racially insensitive despite Crawford’s 30+ year service record
Veteran Driver’s Career Destroyed Over Misworded Anti-Bullying Attempt
Diane Crawford’s three-decade career in school transportation ended abruptly when Juniata County School District and Rohrer Bus Service terminated her contract on February 1, 2025. The 66-year-old driver posted a handwritten sign reading “Out of respect to English-only students, there will be no speaking Spanish on this bus” after allegedly struggling with a bilingual student’s disruptive behavior. Crawford now acknowledges the wording was wrong and says it should have read “No bullying in any language.”
School District Ignored Repeated Pleas for Help
Crawford claims she repeatedly contacted the Juniata County School District requesting assistance with managing a specific bilingual student who allegedly used Spanish to provoke other children on the bus. According to her account, these requests for administrative support went unaddressed, leaving her to handle escalating behavioral problems alone. The lack of institutional backing forced Crawford to take independent action, resulting in the controversial sign that ultimately cost her job.
Federal Investigation Emerges as Case Goes Viral
After remaining dormant for nearly ten months, Crawford’s case exploded across social media platforms in December 2025 when her tearful interview resurfaced and went viral. Reports indicate the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division may now be reviewing the termination for potential civil rights violations. This federal scrutiny represents a dramatic escalation that could establish precedent for similar workplace speech cases involving school employees nationwide.
The timing raises questions about government priorities under the current administration, as federal resources focus on investigating the termination of a veteran employee rather than addressing actual discrimination. Crawford’s supporters have launched fundraising efforts while she maintains her innocence of any racial intent, emphasizing her decades-long commitment to serving students of all backgrounds safely.
