Everyone who crosses a child&8217;s path is an educator. From the morning bus stop to the good night kiss, children are learning lessons, good or bad.

Unfortunately, in Concordia Parish the bad lessons are starting at that bus stop.

For months, bus drivers have griped and groaned over changes to the parish transportation system. The majority of the drivers feel slighted &8212; emotionally and financially &8212; by a district decision to hire an outside company to oversee buses.

Maybe their feelings are justified. But it&8217;s like crying over spilled milk. The deal is done. The contract is signed.

For the next four years, Durham School Services is in charge. And children still need to get to school.

The complaints have filtered up to the school board, and many of the board members are doing just as much griping as the drivers.

But the adults have turned a blind eye to the real issue &8212; the children.

Kids hear more than adults like to admit. They sense the tension and know if their bus driver is upset. What they don&8217;t understand is why.

Last year, when drivers held a bus strike over related issues, 10-year-old Zach Cox summed it up. &8220;The buses are on strike. They hate us.&8221;

The adults in this situation are teaching lessons, and setting examples. If you don&8217;t get your way, fight it. Put yourself before others. Don&8217;t respect authority.

Board member Jerry Roberts hit the nail on the head Tuesday night. As a fruitless debate went on around him, Roberts pointed out the obvious &8212; the changes have been made, now it&8217;s time to deal with them.

&8220;We all need to buy into it for four years. After four years, we vote it out if we don&8217;t want it,&8221; he said.

But for now, everyone must agree to stop the bickering and do what&8217;s best for the children.