Bullied bus monitor retires with over $700K

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

The 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.