SEPTEMBER 13, 2016
Fletcher says complaints ‘are being addressed’
FALLSBURG, KY. — A Lawrence County parent reported concern today for her two children attending Fallsburg Elementary School, one in the 1st grade and one in the fourth grade, who ride a Lawrence County school bus home each evening.
Brandi Blatz, 30 of Webbville, Ky. said the driver currently hauling her children on Bus #141, James Jobe, 31, of Webbville has had problems with law enforcement in recent months and she fears for the saftety of her children on the bus.
“The substitute driver (Jobe) is a man I know and went to school with, he has recently been arrested by the Kentucky State Police in May of 2016 for ‘menacing’ against a police officer’ and put on 2 years probation. He has also shot himself in the foot which caused hospitalization at St. Marys regional medical center.”
“I don’t feel he is fit to drive my children anywhere!” Ms. Blatz said. She also said several other parents have complained about Jobe driving the bus.
She did not complain, however, about any action taken by Jobe on the school bus.
Ms. Blatz stated that a formal complaint has been filed with the Lawrence County Board of Education.
“I just don’t understand how something like this could slip through the cracks,” she said. “It’s just not feasible for parents that live this far away from the school to drive their kids back and forth to school.”
She said the situation puts a strain on parents financially if they are forced to haul their children to and from school.
“If we are forced to send our kids to a system that behaves in such a manner….how can we trust our school system anymore?
Lawrence County Schools Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher stated, “ We do not make comments about personnel, but any comments or complaints brought forward are being addressed.”
Mr. Jobe could not be reached for comment this afternoon.
