HOUSTON—A bus driver accused of punishing elementary school students by turning off the air conditioning and rolling up the windows was reprimanded Friday by the Crosby school system.

Bus driver Michelle Crawford has worked for the school district since March 2007 and has no previous disciplinary record, said district spokesman Robert Tatman. Crawford has been placed on probation and will continue to drive.

An attempt by The Associated Press to reach Crawford at her home was unsuccessful.

“She drives the bus because she loves kids and she loves to work,” said a man who answered the phone Friday night.

Parents complained to the district transportation department after seeing their children exit the bus Thursday afternoon sweaty and flushed, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Tatman said the driver told department officials she was having problems with the students and told them she was going to turn off the radio until they quieted down.

“That did not work,” Tatman said. “Then what happened was that she went ahead and said that she would turn off the air conditioner. You know, trying to get them to be quiet.”

Parent Jennifer Colombo said she was “infuriated.”

“Especially with all the stories you hear about children dying in hot cars, there’s no reason anyone should be disciplined that way,” she told the newspaper.

Crosby is about 22 miles west of Houston.