Jessica Flowers, a school bus driver for Chesapeake Public Schools who was forced to resign, has been reinstated to her position, according to attorney Tim Anderson.
Flowers had previously stated she was forced to resign after creating a video with her bus riders, which she and parents described as harmless fun. Anderson has been representing her pro bono since she shared her story with 10 On Your Side.
“After weeks of uncertainty, Chesapeake Public Schools has agreed to reinstate Jessica Flowers to her position as a school bus driver,” Anderson wrote on his Facebook page, according to Fox 8. “Jessica is absolutely thrilled to return to doing what she love—greeting her students each morning with the same warmth and kindness that made her so beloved.”
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Flowers was popular with the children on her bus, and her efforts to establish a good relationship were evident in the special handshake she developed with each student. With parental consent, she even recorded and shared a video of these handshakes on social media.
However, Flowers was subsequently informed that she had violated an undisclosed “zero tolerance” social media policy. Faced with the choice of resignation or termination, she was ultimately compelled to resign.
Shortly after her resignation, Anderson contacted Flowers, offering pro bono representation. He established a GiveSendGo account to help the single mother of an 11-year-old with living expenses, raising $10,000 in just 14 hours.
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Anderson publicly stated his intention to file a federal lawsuit if Flowers was not reinstated. He had also submitted a demand letter and a FOIA request to Chesapeake Public Schools, seeking “answers and accountability.”
Anderson said it wasn’t clear yet whether she’ll be put back on her original route or a different one, “but we’re hopeful that Chesapeake will make that right.”
He stated that they would monitor the situation to prevent any retaliatory actions from administrators due to her sharing her experience.
“This is a happy ending — and a well-deserved one — for a dedicated public servant who simply wanted to do good by the kids in her care,” Anderson remarked.
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