I am part of the decision making process for kids who break rules and school. The school, the bus and the bus stop are all considered school areas, and should be safe areas for ALL students. If the bus stop is in front of or near the kid's house, then the school rules apply to that area DURING THE TIME KIDS COME TO THE BUS STOP AND ARE DROPPED OFF IN THE AFTERNOON. It is not a bus stop saturday morning, it is not a bus stop noon on Wednesday, or Friday evening. It is a bus stop during limited times on school days. If the parents don't like it, they can request a change.
That being said, there is a zero tolerance policy for weapons and things that can be considered weapons including toys. You can't pull out a plastic knife on the bus, you can't pull out a water pistol at school, and you can't shoot people with an air soft gun at the bus stop. In my opinion, I find it frustrating that some folks are over dramatizing the incident claiming the school rules apply all the time to all private property and that schools are overstepping their place. Bullying on cyberspace (even if it happens at night, at home or wherever), when it affects kids feeling safe to be at school, is also legally under school discipline jurisdiction.
If one of those kids were killed, or paralyzed, or began having nightmares, develops PTSD... if one of those kids lost a father in battle over seas and it triggered a strong emotional response, if one of those kids is already being intimidated or bullied by one of the shooters... there are so many possible harms that could have and may have occurred. ALL kids deserve to go to school and feel safe. Period. That includes the free travel that kids are guaranteed.
When a kid pulled out a plastic, like picnic kind of plastic knife on a bus, even though the kid is not a problem kid and didn't threaten anyone with it, that kid had to be informed of the seriousness, hand over the knife, and be warned of future suspension if it ever happens again. Parents notified, recorded in school record, etc. Air soft guns are much more dangerous. My child would NEVER do this because he was taught responsibility with all forms of weapons, including toys. This was reckless behavior that interfered with kids attending school safely. I assume that the reason he got such a long alternative placement is because he has already had other discipline problems.
If his parents, or any other families that have a bus stop in their front yard, feel like their right to privacy is affected, then call the number for transportation and change the bus stop location, and parent your kids so the schools don't have to.
ALL my opinion.