CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A bus driver for Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS), who was asked to resign in connection with a Facebook video showing students, was reinstated.
Jessica Flowers confirmed to WTKR Chesapeake reporter Erin Holly that the school system has reinstated her.
This all started when Flowers posted a video to her personal Facebook page that shows her doing a variety of handshakes with students. Each handshake had its own special flourishes, and in the video, Flowers appears to remember the cadence of each student's motions.
In the original video that was posted, students' faces were not covered; however, Flowers has maintained that their parents had granted permission for her to post it. Later versions circulated online used emojis and colored hearts to cover faces.
Watch an edited version of the video that had Flowers resign
After the video was posted to Flowers' Facebook page, she was pulled into the office with school administrators and was told she was terminated. She immediately took out her phone and offered to delete the video, but she said an administrator told her they have a "zero tolerance policy for posting kids on Facebook."
Then, she was given the option to resign or be fired, Flowers said. She resigned.
Watch: Interview with school bus driver who resigned after posting video
Local attorney Tim Anderson shared that he had taken Flowers' case pro bono and made a post to his Facebook page Tuesday night to share the news. Anderson shared that CPS was looking into reinstating Flowers.
Earlier this week, Flowers said it was not clear whether she will return to her bus route.
Later Thursday, CPS released a statement about Flowers' reinstatement:
After a thorough review of the details related to this matter, the Superintendent supported the reinstatement. Specific details will not be provided as this is a personnel matter.
Chesapeake Public Schools recognizes that this matter raised concerns that required careful attention. While the division is within its rights to pursue termination of any employee who violates School Board policies, we believe in second chances. It is clear that this employee cares about building positive relationships with students and values her role as a bus driver with CPS.
