Harford County, Maryland – An experienced school bus driver was recently terminated from her position after she allowed a student on her route to exit the bus to rescue an injured kitten. According to sources, Cynthia Morgan, who drives a bus for students at the North Harford Elementary School, was fired because of safety concerns stemming from the incident.
A video recording shows low traffic on the rural road where the 10-year-old child, Alex, went to secure the kitten. As reported by the Baltimore Sun, the student held the kitten on his lap until the bus arrived at the school.
Morgan is known as a caring, attentive bus driver, who has gifted students school supplies, Christmas presents, birthday cards and more. Parents who know Morgan think that she should have been given a short suspension, not a permanent termination.
A parent tells CBS, “We just feel the way that it was handled was not appropriate. We feel that termination was a little excessive, an overreaction by the Department of Transportation through HCPS. I think it could have been handled in a lot of other ways.”
A Change.org petition asking for Morgan to be reinstated to her position has garnered over 11,400 signatures.
Where do you stand? Was this an act of compassion for an injured kitten or was it a reckless move by a bus driver who should have known better. Feel free to weigh in below in the comment section.
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51 Comments
Reinstate the bus driver. From what I’m reading, she was a responsible driver who would probably have weighed up her options before letting the child rescue the kitten.
With all the horrible cruelty animal abuse stories we read on a daily basis and the pathetic actions of many school authorities when dealing with REALLY serious situations, these school district personnel are behaving like typical, bureaucrats whose ‘power’ has gone to their heads.
The bus driver should be recognised for her empathy & compassion – not excoriated.
Unbelievable the bus driver did not but anyone in danger she was teaching the children empathy.
Give this driver her job back!! Also give a medal to her and the compassionate child! NOW!!!!
Agreed??
This driver was teaching empathy to children who no longer have empathy. She should be reinstated and a apology given to her by the POS people who fired her!
Agreed!
She should not have been fired. Reprimanded maybe, for allowing a child to exit the bus before a legal drop-off point. She could have gone out and rescued the kitten as the adult in charge.
Our values have gotten so turned around. It seems that these days you are punished for doing the right thing. We have so many individuals out there committing all sorts of cruel and evil things to animals and getting away with it. And then we have those of us doing our best to help animals; and getting punished for it. If that isn’t messed up; don’t know what is. That bus driver and student should be commended for their act of compassion and kindness. That is what they deserve!
Oh for God’s sake, people! The bus driver didn’t put the kid in any danger. Both the driver and the kid are compassionate towards animals, as all humans SHOULD be. Give her the job back, you morons!!
Punished for being compassionate, give that woman back her job asap!
I’d say fire the person
that fired the bus driver so unfair she was just being kind human being
Unbelievable
The bus driver did the RIGHT thing, not the required thing. If she had not permitted the child to rescue the kitten what horrible lesson would she be sending? When you see someone in dire need of help, just ignore them? No wonder kids are so messed up. Just ask a teacher. Please reinstate this kind person’s job. She and the child deserve kudos.
The bus driver did the RIGHT thing, not the required thing. If she had not permitted the child to rescue the kitten what horrible lesson would she be sending? When you see someone in dire need of help, just ignore them? No wonder kids are so messed up. Just ask a teacher. Please reinstate this kind person’s job. She and the child deserve kudos.
This school bus driver is obviously someone who makes children better people. It’s what we want in our society, isn’t it? Yes there are rules for safety reasons, but making an in the moment decision that shows compassion is a good thing. It’s sad that those who made the decision can’t see that.
Whoever orchestrated the termination of this school bus driver, should be terminated themselves. What a shame!
what message are we sending our children not to stop and help a hurt animal? don’t we want to raise children who care and have compassion for animals? we all would have stopped to help that kitten, so why should this be any different. I get it that it is policy to not let a child off the bus that is not their home or school, but this is extenuating circumstances. so what if it was a person on the side of the road injured? so they arr supposed to drive right by because they are not allowed to stop? come on school district, do the right thing! shame on. you for terminating her!
I do not see any malice or fore though in this action. An animal needed help and received it. That driver is to be commended and that child will grow up to be a great citizen. We as a nation are starved for this type of thinking,
It showed compassion of the student and the driver. You don’t see that much these days. She should never be fired for saving a life.
Absolutely dreadful to sack a caring person for helping an injured kitten 😡 what is the company saying to children ignore the suffering of innocent animals if it not at the correct bus stop ? This woman and child should be given a medal not made to feel in the wrong we need more kind people in this cruel world
Absolutely dreadful to sack a caring person for helping an injured kitten 😡 what is the company saying to children ignore the suffering of innocent animals if it not at the correct bus stop ? This woman and child should be given a medal not made to feel in the wrong we need more kind people in this cruel world
These are the people teaching your kids?? How messed up are you guys for letting this happen?? The only thing she did was show kindness!! Has that really gone by the wayside now?? Not surprising with the idiot, we have in the Oval Office!!!
These are the people teaching your kids?? How messed up are you guys for letting this happen?? The only thing she did was show kindness!! Has that really gone by the wayside now?? Not surprising with the idiot, we have in the Oval Office!!!
No common sense in this action taken by the school. Not much in the brain dept.
Finally, a lovely woman allows a child to behave with compassion and is punished for her actions. Her treatment is an abomination. Read some of the stories posted here of children’s cruelty to animals. The bus driver should get an award as should the child.