Pocono News Section

Parents React to Alleged Duct Taping Incident

Parents React to Alleged Duct Taping Incident - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 6:15PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2009 @ 06:15pm EDT
Catawissa, Columbia County-

We first told you Monday night about a bus driver accused of duct taping students’ mouths while they rode home from school.

It allegedly happened in the Southern Columbia Area School District, located on Route 487 between Catawissa and Elysburg.

We caught up with some parents after school on Tuesday.

"If he did it to my kids, I'd be upset." That was the sentiment expressed by many of the parents we spoke with.

Most did not want to talk on camera about allegations that bus driver Walter Slavinksy duct taped two children's mouths shut as he drove them home from school last Thursday.

Parent Tara O’Donnell, of Catawissa, said, "I can understand where some kids are a little more rowdy, but I don't find it appropriate for a bus driver to be doing that."

According to school officials, the board decided to place the driver on administrative leave at a meeting Monday night. We're told the driver then chose to resign instead.

Slavinsky says he only joked about putting duct tape on the kids' mouths as he was fixing a tear in a bus seat. But the 68-year-old says he opted to resign rather than take the time and money to legally fight the charges.

O’Donnell continued, "I can see where he might be a little more old-school, but still inappropriate to be doing that to someone else's kids."

Police are still investigating the duct tape claims. There is no word yet if any criminal charges might be filed.

Parents at Southern Columbia say they hope this incident doesn't tarnish the reputation of the district's other bus drivers.

O’Donnell added, “Actually I think most of the bus drivers are pretty good. I actually know a couple of them and they're pretty good with (the kids), but they say they do have problems with some of the kids not listening. I think it's more up to the parents to really talk to their kids and make sure they do behave."

Southern Columbia school district administrators did not return our calls for comment Tuesday afternoon.