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 Linda Thomas
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Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.

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Bullied bus monitor retires with over $700K

July 30, 2012 @ 5:25 pm (Updated: 3:49 am - 7/31/12 )

When the new school year begins this fall, a bullied school bus monitor won't be there.

KarenKleinThe 68-year-old grandmother, who became known across the country when a video captured her being insulted, threatened and tormented by a group of middle schoolers, says she's retiring.

The YouTube video had more than two million hits.

"I enjoyed working with the kids. But I guess it's my time to leave. That's what I've decided," she told the Associated Press from her home in a suburb of Rochester, New York.

She says the decision to leave her job wasn't because of the "mean spirited" seventh graders who insulted her.

Klein said she'll keep busy in her retirement, perhaps by volunteering with organizations that help people who have been touched by bullying or suicide.

Suicide was one of the topics the boys used to taunt Klein, whose son killed himself 10 years ago.

The students said, "You don't have a family because they all killed themselves because they don't want to be near you."

The four students responsible for most of the bullying have been suspended for a year. They are currently enrolled in a special alternative education program and required to complete 50 hours of community service with senior citizens.

Klein's retirement will be made a little easier with donations from a fund set up on her behalf. The fund closed 10 days ago after topping out at $703,000.

By LINDA THOMAS

AP/Steven Senne photo of Karen Klein on a tour bus similar to Seattle's "Ride the Duck" tours.

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Comments (3)


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  • maplefish wrote...
    Great Story
    July 31, 2012 7:20 am
    Nobody should be subject to that type of cruelty. Especially grandmothers. I'm happy for her!
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  • Cash wrote...
    I have a question...
    July 31, 2012 12:44 pm
    I am not saying she deserved anything but if her job was to monitor the kids on the bus why was she getting paid? She obviously was not able to do her job to monitor them so I am confused...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Suspended for a YEAR?
    July 31, 2012 10:40 pm
    The treatment these kids gave her was horrible and in my book inexcusable.

    But is a years suspension really justice? Is there some precedence here? How does that compare to suspensions from actual fighting, illegal drug use, bringing guns to school and the like?

    I am all for severe discipline for these kids, but a years suspension seems a bit overkill. I just hope their parents take this incident seriously and "educate" their children in civility and respect.......

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }