'Stay off the school bus:' Parents forcibly entering school buses can face misdemeanor charge, Cumberland County officials warn

Cumberland County School leaders are concerned about an increase in confrontations between parents and school bus drivers.

So far this year, there have been four parents who have tried to force their way onto a school bus.

The problem is: They're breaking the law.

Each day, Cumberland County Schools provides transportation for about 26,000 students to 86 schools. School leaders say getting young people safely to school is their number one priority. However, they say that safety is jeopardized when parents try to get on school buses to have confrontations with bus drivers or students.

"The biggest thing is, our bus drivers are trying to take care of our kids, and if somebody gets on a school bus, they can't do that because now they're have to pay attention to something else," explains George Hall, Cumberland County Schools Safety & Security Director.

Last year, three parents were charged with trespassing for entering school buses. It's the law – clearly posted on the steps on every bus.

"Getting on a school bus is considered trespassing. It's also a class one misdemeanor that a person can be charged with. It's recently started coming up more or more frequently like a lot more parents are getting on the bus," says Sgt. Mickey Locklear, a spokesperson for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

Parents have complained that their children are being bullied on the bus or have been attacked by other students while riding to school. However, school leaders say adults getting on school buses to resolve issues involving their children is not the way to handle the problem.

"Stay off the school bus," says Hall. "If you have a problem with a bus, go to the school, talk to the principal, talk to the assistant principal. That's the way you handle this – not out on side of the road."

School leaders and law enforcement wanted to get the word out because although the charge right now for trespassing on a school bus is only a misdemeanor – it could easily escalate into something more serious.

The Sheriff's Office says even a misdemeanor charge can be embarrassing and expensive. Mugshots and fingerprints are taken, a court date is assigned, and you might have to hire an attorney.