Juniata County bus driver fired after English-only bus sign; Justice Department opens federal civil‑rights investigation
Diane Crawford, a 66-year-old veteran Juniata County bus driver, was fired in April 2025 after an “English-only” sign; the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has opened a federal investigation into potential civil‑rights violations and the circumstances of her termination.
Key takeaways
- Diane Crawford, 66, a longtime Juniata County school bus driver and subcontractor, was terminated after admitting she posted an “English-only” sign on her bus — coverage by Local21 News.
- The sign read: “Out of respect to English-only students, there will be no speaking Spanish on this bus.” Crawford says she intended to curb bullying; district and company say it violated professional standards (Local21 News).
- The Juniata County School District and Rohrer Bus arranged training with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has opened a federal review (Local21 News).
Background: who Crawford is and how she worked
Diane Crawford says she drove school buses in Juniata County for more than 30 years. In 2024 she bought a bus and a route and worked as an owner/operator subcontracting to Rohrer Bus to serve the Juniata County School District. She told reporters she loved the children and believed many students liked her in return (Local21 News).
The English‑only bus sign and Crawford’s explanation
A sign posted in the bus window read: “Out of respect to English-only students, there will be no speaking Spanish on this bus.” Crawford told reporters she intended the message as a warning to one bilingual child she said had been “riling up” other students by speaking Spanish. She said she feared the child might be saying insulting words in Spanish that she could not fully understand — she recounted hearing words like “gordo” (fat) that she thought might be directed at her or other children.
Crawford now says she regrets the wording and that a clearer message would have been: “No bullying in any language.” (Reporting: Local21 News; video).
How the firing unfolded and school/district response
Crawford says she received an overnight call from her supervisor telling her her contract was terminated and that she was not allowed to explain her side before being cut off. She contends there was no real investigation. The Juniata County School District and Rohrer Bus dispute that account.
In a joint statement, the district and the bus company said they “jointly reviewed the situation in accordance with established procedures.” They say the review concluded once the subcontractor provided a written admission confirming the signage had been installed on her bus, and that Crawford’s conduct “did not meet expected standards for student transportation providers.” The district and company say they stand by their decision (source: Local21 News).
Training and policy steps taken after the controversy
After complaints, the school district and Rohrer Bus arranged formal training by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission on April 17, 2025. The session covered employer responsibilities, professional expectations, student equity, and appropriate response protocols to student behavior. District officials said the training and procedures are meant to support drivers with behavior concerns and to encourage use of established reporting channels rather than unilateral signage (reported by Local21 News).
Crawford’s personal and financial situation
Crawford says losing the contract has been devastating. She told reporters she is on Medicare, Medicaid and SNAP, and that the stress led her to begin antidepressant medication. Crawford said she is seeking roughly $30,000 in compensation tied to the bus and route she bought in 2024 and the debt she now faces. She maintains she acted out of concern for safety and fairness on the bus (Local21 News).
Community reaction
The incident prompted a strong local response. A petition to rehire Crawford reportedly gathered more than 1,000 signatures, indicating significant community support. At the same time, district and company leaders said they prioritized student well‑being and inclusivity and had no plans to reverse the decision. Observers noted the dispute touches on language, safety, and school discipline (Local21 News).
Federal civil‑rights investigation
The case escalated when U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said the Civil Rights Division is investigating the firing and circumstances around the English‑only sign. The Justice Department’s review could examine whether the sign or the district’s action implicates federal civil‑rights or anti‑discrimination laws — for example, whether the sign targeted students based on national origin or language — and whether Crawford’s constitutional or statutory rights, such as free‑speech protections, were violated by her termination. As of the latest reporting, no formal findings or enforcement actions have been announced; the matter remains at the investigation stage (Local21 News).
Key disputed points
Two facts are central to the dispute:
1) Whether a thorough internal investigation occurred before Crawford’s contract ended — Crawford says no; the district and Rohrer say they conducted a review once she admitted posting the sign.
2) Whether the sign was intended to exclude Spanish speakers or to address one student’s behavior — Crawford says it aimed to stop bullying; school and bus leaders say the message was inconsistent with inclusive transportation standards (Local21 News).
Implications for the Inland Empire, California
Economic impact
Local districts and private bus contractors could face costs from similar incidents, including required training by state human relations commissions or consultants. Districts may need to review subcontracting agreements and insurance coverage. Bus companies could suffer reputational harm that affects contract bids and customer relations.
Political consequences
Language, civil‑rights and public‑safety issues can become campaign topics in local elections. A federal civil‑rights investigation, even from another state, may prompt local leaders to clarify policies on nondiscrimination and free speech to avoid legal exposure and public controversy.
Social effects and cultural relevance
The Inland Empire’s large Spanish‑speaking population means incidents singling out Spanish use can strain trust between Latino communities and school districts. Schools may need to reinforce bilingual supports, cultural‑sensitivity training and clearer messaging to balance safety with respect for linguistic diversity.
Practical applications for parents, districts and bus companies
- Parents: Ask how your district communicates behavior rules, request translated communications, and confirm reporting steps for bullying on buses.
- School districts: Review transportation contracts, ensure drivers and subcontractors receive regular training on behavior management and anti‑discrimination obligations.
- Bus companies: Establish clear protocols for reporting behavior problems, avoid unilateral signage that could be viewed as exclusionary, and document incidents for review.
Keywords and legal watchpoints
Terms to monitor: “Juniata County bus driver fired,” “English-only bus sign,” and “Federal civil rights investigation.” How the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division frames its review may guide local policy on language, bullying, and contractor discipline.
Reporting and sources
This account draws on reporting by Times Media Service and local coverage, including interviews with Crawford and statements from the Juniata County School District and Rohrer Bus. Primary local reporting is available at Local21 News and related video coverage.
For the record
Reporting on this matter draws on local coverage from Times Media Service and Local21 News. Video interviews are available at this link.
