TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida lawsuit alleges a school bus driver wouldn't allow a disabled student on the bus, then complained loudly when he was on it.
Hillsborough County School Board and a bus driver named Jamila Maliva are facing a lawsuit filed March 7 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court by a minor student, E.O., through his mother.
The lawsuit alleges that the school board and the bus driver discriminated against E.O., who is orthopedically impaired, by not allowing him to board the school bus. This incident allegedly occurred on September 20, 2023, denying E.O. access to free and appropriate public education.
The complaint further states that despite being notified of E.O.'s disability and need for accommodations, the bus driver complained about the child's slow movement while getting on and off the bus. It also accuses the bus driver of continuously talking on the phone while driving, expressing displeasure about E.O. being on the bus.
Sean White of Panther Law represents the plaintiff.