Sylvania bus driver s reinstatement upheld

8/5/2006

Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge James Bates has confirmed an arbitrator s decision to reinstate a Sylvania City Schools bus driver who was fired for pulling away from the curb while a child s arm was caught in the bus door.

The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by the district in March to vacate the award won by Jane Riehl, who was fired for violating safety rules and for neglect of duty for the Jan. 24, 2005 incident.

Ms. Riehl, who drove for the district for 25 years, appealed the dismissal and was reinstated in her job by an arbitrator chosen by the district and her union, the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 4.