Bus drivers who has been punished for praying and spreading the word of God is standing up for what he believes in. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) reprimanded several drivers for having a morning prayer. The prayer was done on an unused channel in the communications system that the drivers used to speak to one another.
According to ChristianNews.net, Deborah McDonald, a driver who was part of the prayers says that the prayers were necessary to comfort the drivers in times of need.
“A mother and a grandmother lost a 12 year old, one had a stroke, and then one got hit by a car,” McDonald said to FOX 26.
“This was the only thing we could do to support one another,” she said. “By praying to God.”
The drivers never prayed while the buses were moving and only used five minutes of time. But when the HISD found out what they were doing, they were all punished. McDonald and four others were told that they should only use the communications system at the school for work-related conversations.
“As stated in the HISD Transportation Handbook policy and in accordance with the FCC law, all radio communications are to be used for HISD purposes only, to ensure the safety of students and employees,” said Denisse Cantu, HISD spokesperson. “This policy is available in the handbook which every HISD bus driver has received a copy of.”
The drivers now have a permanently disciplinary record with the company and may affect future income-earning opportunities. Wretha Thomas, a union rep, says that the decision was the wrong one. Some also say that the decision was hypocritical.
“It is sad that the district would take this position writing up my bus drivers,” Thomas said.
“In fact,” she said, “HISD [officials] pray … every time they get ready to have a board meeting. They’re allowed to pray.”
