2 students to be expelled for bus fight

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. (WOOD) - The Muskegon Orchard View school board voted Monday night to expel two students involved in a fight with a bus driver.

The May 21 incident was caught on the bus' surveillance tape, but the board also voted to deny 24 Hour News 8's request for the footage.

With the ruling, 15-year-old Jared Johnson is expelled from attending any Michigan school for 180 days.

But his grandparents say he is a victim. Pictures after the incident reveal a deep bruise to his nose.

Johnson was attempting to break up an argument between the bus driver and another student on the bus when he was drawn into the fight, his grandparents told 24 Hour News 8. After Johnson was pushed by the bus driver, they say he retaliated.

"Jared came up swinging, yes he did," said Jackie Johnson, Jared's grandmother.

The board ruled that was enough to warrant his expulsion. It also ruled in a closed session to expel the other student involved.

Bus driver Brent Major has been fired because of the language he used when talking to the students, Orchard View School District Superintendent Pat Walstra said. The driver has the right to move students to the front of the bus that are misbehaving or refusing to move, she added.

"You have a young man who is basically out of control. (The driver) is within the rights of the revised school aid code to restrain and move a student if other students are in jeopardy," Walstra said.

Said Major after the incident to 24 Hour News 8: "Did I lose patience with that kid? Yes, I did. I lost my patience with that kid very quickly. Did I strike him? No.

"I guess, I'm just like any normal person. Once you get pushed a little too far, things snap sometimes."

Johnson finally was doing well in Orchard View's alternative school, his grandparents said. They will continue to fight the board's ruling.

There is a Freedom of Information Act request pending with the school board for the surveillance tape.