by Alex Brooks
Hoosick Falls Central School Bus Driver Leo Surdam has not been driving his school bus since an incident that happened on his bus on December 8 in which Surdam intervened to stop two sixth grade boys from harassing a fourth grade girl. Information on exactly why this may lead to charges against him either by police or by the School District is not available at present.
Neither Surdam nor the School administration can discuss the incident, which will be investigated and adjudicated through the School District’s normal procedures.
A police report was not available to this newspaper late Wednesday afternoon.
HFCS District Superintendent Ken Facin said Surdam “has privacy rights and due process rights” that the District will respect. Facin said it is a personnel matter which cannot be discussed in public.
There has been a lot of discussion of the incident on Facebook, and many in the community seem to be rallying behind Surdam and urging the School District to reinstate him. A group of Surdam’s supporters are expected to show up at this week’s School Board meeting, but Facin said the Board and the Administration will not be able to discuss the matter at a public meeting.