Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Kids Who Bullied Karen The Bus Monitor Suspended For One Year
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 30, 2012
Modified Jun 30, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 30, 2012
Modified Jun 30, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The saga of Karen Klein—the upstate NY bus monitor who was tormented by some rotten kids in a viral YouTube video—has riveted the internet for the past few weeks. Late yesterday, some serious punishment was dolled out to the vulgar little beasts who brought her to tears: the four seventh-grade students will be suspended from school and regular bus transportation for one year. In addition, they'll have to complete 50 hours of community service, and a formal program in bullying prevention. If only these kinds of consequences were around in the days of forcible haircuts.
The Greece Central School district said that the four unnamed students will transfer to an alternative education program within the district to keep up their academic progress, and will be allowed to reapply to middle school after their complete the discipline. They released a long statement about the situation, but here's the important part:
Rarely are school districts able to announce the exact discipline students receive for violations of the Code of Conduct. It was possible in this case because each of the students involved admitted to wrongdoing, accepted the recommended consequences and agreed to permit the district to publicly release the terms of their disciplinary action.
Accepting responsibility for dumb, youthful actions—what a novel concept! As of Saturday morning, nearly $672K have been raised for Klein through Indiegogo—and this week, Klein met the man who started the fundraiser, Max Sidorov. Sidorov, a Toronto native, said he was motivated to help because he had been bullied in the past: "I know how it feels, nobody should have to go through that, ever," Sidorov told ABC.
"I almost feel like I don't deserve it," Klein said of the donations. "They should be sending their donations to other people that have more problems than I do." Klein, a grandmother of eight, including one with Down syndrome, said she will donate part of the money to support research. She also wants to get her carpeting done: "I need new carpeting, maybe a paint job here and there. Pay off all my bills so that I can retire."
Tagged
barts people
bullying
bus
bus monitor
karen klein
Punishment
suspension
war on youth
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bronx community hosts vigil for boy killed in e-bike fire
Zion Maine died Wednesday after a lithium-ion battery ignited, killing him and injuring four members of his family.
By
Carol Chen
Published Oct 29, 2026 at 9:22 p.m. ET
8 people charged in $7M SNAP benefit fraud scheme
The scam impacted thousands of people, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
8 people charged in $7M SNAP benefit fraud scheme
The scam impacted thousands of people, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
By
Giulia Heyward
California man was shot by a NJ detective in Moonachie, officials say
By
Kaya Laterman
The NYPD is confiscating e-bikes along a clogged East Village street
By
Willow Higgins
New Yorkers enrolled in SNAP will get more money for fresh produce next year
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .