BARNEGAT, NJ – A school aide who works for the Barnegat Township School District is being investigated after boarding a bus and exhibiting extremely bizarre behavior in front of the children. The episode was caught on multiple phones by students and posted to a community Facebook page last week.
The bus aide, who was not assigned to the bus, according to Superintendent of Schools Brian Latwis typically rides her bike to and from work, but could not due to the snow. Instead, she hitched a ride home on a school bus loaded with students on its way home from the Russell O. Brackman Middle School.
While on the bus, the woman engaged in a bizarre discussion with students, at one point laying on the floor of the bus while students recorded, and calling one of the male students on the bus a ‘d-ck’.
Barnegat Police Chief Keith Germain said a police officer was dispatched, but since she showed no indication of drugs or alcohol and no charges were filed.
Latwis said the school district will conduct its own investigation into the incident.
“As we continue our own internal investigation, we assure you that the entire incident is under review and that the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken once complete. The district’s personnel policies and state law prevent us from releasing certain details about this incident. However, we will continue to provide full transparency and update the community when appropriate,” Latwis said in a letter to parents. “The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is not only our responsibility — it’s our priority.”