Why Was Rhonda Spencer Barksdale Driving Children?

 

We're already hearing the jokes: If I had to drive 40 screaming kids, I'd be on Xanax too. Funny? Not if it were your child...on the morning school run no less.

Rhonda Spencer Barksdale is a Vina High grad who lives in Red Bay and, until earlier today, drove a Tharptown school bus route in Franklin County. Several motorists saw her bus swerving over the road this morning and called authorities who promptly arrested her. The 58 year-old Barksdale spent less than six hours in the Franklin County Detention Center before being released on bond.

Barksdale is charged with one count of reckless endangerment for each student on her bus - 40 in all. This is one excellent reason that students should carry their mobile to school. Sad isn't it?

So far the Franklin County Board of Education hasn't commented.