EXTRA CONTENT: Bus driver gets 10-day suspension for slapping student

Read the disciplinary letter by clicking here.

Corbin Independent Schools Superintendent Ed McNeel announced Monday that the bus driver involved in a physical altercation with a first-grade student has been suspended without pay for 10 days and will have to undergo anger management classes, effective on May 18.

The suspension comes following an incident in which Bodenweiser admittedly made contact with a first grade student, but only after the student initiated the contact, during a bus drill on April 22 of this year.

McNeel said he took his time with the situation due to its nature and said he was considerate of all parties when determining what action to take.

“Anytime you involve a young child and an adult in a supervisory capacity, it’s tough,” McNeel said. “You really need to take your time and make sure you’re looking at all the issues.

“I did that and that’s how I came up with these disciplinary actions,” he added.  

In a previous interview during which Bodenweiser was not identified, he did admit to slapping the boy, but showed remorse for his actions and called it simple reflex-reaction to the situation at hand.

“From the very instant, I regretted that I happened,” Bodenweiser said. “I certainly meant no harm to the boy and in hindsight, I shouldn’t have touched him at all.

“It was really just a reflex-type reaction where I slapped his hand away as he poked me and slapped him on the cheek,” the driver said. “I am not really sure what exactly was said and what was going on, but he poked me in the face and I am not used to that.”

According to the driver, prior to the incident the students were in the process of being reloaded following a bus evacuation drill. The driver went on to explain that the kids were “all wound up,” and the child involved was clowning around and kidding with another child when he (driver) was poked in the face, triggering his reaction.

In a letter addressed to the driver, Kirk Bodenweiser, McNeel states that Bodenweiser was notified of violations in state law and local policies and regulations, the cause for disciplinary action and the potential disciplinary actions to be taken by the superintendent.

The letter states that Bodenweiser will be suspended without pay for a period of 10 workdays, starting May 18, 2009, and running consecutive to the end of the suspension period. It goes on to say that he is to complete a program for anger management determined by the Board prior to the returning to work.

It also states that the letter will be placed in Bodenweiser’s personnel file and he is hereby notified that if any future causes for disciplinary action occur, he is subject to termination and/or suspension without pay.