NYAPT addresses bus monitor bullying incident

ALBANY, N.Y. — Following the recent bullying of a Greece Central School District bus monitor, the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) has addressed the incident, and the problem of bullying as a whole.

As previously reported, monitor Karen Klein endured profane taunting by students on a bus last week. Another student captured the bullying on a cell phone camera, and it was later posted online. Klein has since received an outpouring of emotional and financial support.  

NYAPT first believes that the school district must conduct an investigation into the incident and take all necessary measures, including discipline where appropriate.

“School bus drivers and monitors are an integral part of the local school enterprise and deserve our respect and appreciation,” the association said in a statement. “They do not deserve to be treated in the ways that Ms. Klein was treated — neither by students nor by other school employees. We believe that there is no place for bullying of anyone on the school bus or in the school building.”

NYAPT went on to say that the students’ behavior toward Klein is not only inappropriate and offensive, it detracts from the safety of other children riding the bus.  

To help prevent this type of incident in the future, NYAPT pledged to work with state officials, school district officials and its members to enhance the training that drivers and monitors receive to prepare them to effectively respond when such situations occur.

To read NYAPT’s statement in full, click here.