JUNIATA COUNTY, PA — A school bus driver in central Pennsylvania was fired after posting a controversial “English‑only” sign on her vehicle, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has opened a review of the dismissal amid claims of discrimination and civil rights concerns, officials confirmed this week.
The sign, affixed to the side of the bus, read: “Out of respect to English‑only students, there will be no speaking Spanish on this bus.” The message quickly drew public backlash and prompted the Juniata County School District and Rohrer Bus Company, which contracted the driver, to terminate the driver’s contract shortly after the incident.
The former driver, 66‑year‑old Diane Crawford, had served the district for more than three decades before the termination. Crawford told local news outlets that her intent was not to discriminate but to address repeated discipline challenges involving a bilingual student whom she believed was using Spanish to create disruptions. She acknowledged the sign was poorly worded and said she regretted how it was interpreted.
After the firing received national attention, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division reposted coverage of the story on the social platform X, calling the situation “deeply concerning” and directing the division to open an investigation into whether the termination violated federal civil rights law. Supporters have defended Crawford’s long career and raised funds online to help her through financial hardship since losing her position.
Legal experts have expressed confusion about the DOJ’s involvement, saying disputes over workplace language policies are typically handled at the local level rather than as federal civil rights cases. Some observers note the situation raises questions about employment practices, language accommodations and the boundaries of federal oversight.
