Greece, N.Y.—A day after the video of Karen Klein went viral and brought worldwide attention to her torment at the hands of middle school children, she wasn’t the only one hearing from the public.
Police said some of the families of children involved have received threats. School board members are also receiving calls and e-mails and being approached by community members hoping for significant punishment for the teens involved.
“I think they wanted these children to be punished as severely as possible,” said Roger Boily, Greece Board of Education member and a former Town Supervisor.
Boily says punishment will come, but doesn’t think jail or other forms of severe punishment are warranted in this case.
Boily, a grandfather of two, says the actions of students who verbally abused Klein should be used as an example for both children and adults on how to conduct themselves.
“I’ve seen [adults] during my political career screaming and yelling at supervisors, at councilmen, at senators and kids watch this,” said Boily.
Boily said his adult children have spoken with their middle school-aged kids about what they should do if faced with similar instances.
“They’ve told them, ‘you get involved or you stay away and you go tell an adult,’” explained Boily.
