The kids will attend an alternative school in their own school district. They will not be unleashed on society :)
I will be in the minority, but I think a year of suspension is way too much. Violence, drugs and weapons on campus rarely gets a full year suspension, so I think this was over the top.
As a teacher I have seen first hand, a child be one way around their parents and completely different with their friends. I was one who could fool anyone, I wasn't a bully by any means at all, but my mom had no idea who I was outside of the home. Kids are masters at lying! Another issue is the cattle mentality, if others are doing it then I will fall in - a very real reality with kids (and adults for that matter). So punishing the parents, it all depends. Although, the defensive parent that says what their kid did is no big deal or defends them - those ARE the parents who should suffer consequences too.
I too wondered why she wasn't disciplining them as they were doing this. If her job was to monitor the behavior on the bus then she wasn't doing her job - even if it was directed at her. She is a sweet lady, but old enough to know to take control of a situation despite personal feelings.
I do think what happened was appalling and I am glad it received the national coverage it did as to enable a precedent set for future situations like this. Saying that though, I certainly don't feel it dictated a need for over $600,000 in donations or any monetary donations for that matter.
I know I am in the minority on this...Jo W, I guess we're in this boat together.