What began as a discussion of semantics on a Helena School District bus recently translated to a misdemeanor citation for the bus driver and a removal from his district bus driving duties.

James Campbell, 62, received a deferred sentence last week out of City Court for a charge of assault stemming from the Oct. 8 incident, court records indicate. That means that if he remains law abiding for the full year, Campbell can return to the judge to ask that the incident be wiped from his record.

According to City Prosecutor Bob Wood, the charge was leveled against Campbell after a 12-year-old passenger on the bus he was driving reported that Campbell slapped him across the head.

Wood said the dispute between Campbell and the student from C.R. Anderson began when Campbell objected to the boy loudly repeating the word "penis" despite Campbell's request to stop.

The boy's response to the bus driver's request was that "penis" isn't a derogatory word, but is in fact, a scientific term.

At that point, Wood said, Campbell slapped the boy — a move that was documented by the video camera with which all district buses are equipped. Several other children witnessed the incident, he added.

The boy involved did not require medical attention, Wood said.

While the child involved did not sustain any serious injuries in the incident, the school district responded swiftly in following up with the parents of the student involved and the transportation company, said Superintendent Bruce Messinger.

He said investigation conducted by the district and the police department indicated that it would be best if Campbell discontinued handling a bus route for the school district.

Neither Campbell nor his attorney returned messages left on their voice mail Thursday afternoon.