I’m siding with the bus driver.
The bus driver probably left because he knew if he stayed he’d kill someone.
Smart move on his part.
Bus driver - definitely
Me, too.
I'm with you.
Many decades ago, when my kids were little, I took job as a bus driver. Back then, the driver could discipline in many ways, including stopping the bus and putting on the flashers to signal for aid - from cruisers or even truck drivers.
They could also ban a kid from the bus. The first time would be for 2 weeks and the kid could not ride again without the parents coming for a conference.
Next time - no more bus privileges.
Nowadays, no one's allowed to discipline the kids - and middle schoolers are the WORST - They're neither fish nor fowl = not little kids but far from grownup. They don't know who they are and they can get wild in a bunch.