Driver following bus made threatening gestures, parents say
By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
School leaders stand on shaky ground with some parents of Amsterdam School children following an incident Friday of a man reportedly making threatening gestures with a knife while following a school bus on its morning commute to the school.
Parents are asking why they or the township police weren’t informed quickly about the incident. When they asked township police about the incident Sunday, they weren’t aware of it, said one parent, Eric Tanalski.
The parents sent an open letter Monday asking Superintendent Dr. Jorden Schiff and the township Board of Education for information. (A copy is printed on Page 16A.)
In response, the school administration sent an instant alert message to Amsterdam School parents Monday at 12:42 p.m. It said the police were investigating the incident in which a man in his 30s or 40s in a black SUV was making a “waving motion” with a knife to children on the bus.
The parents’ letter says the bus was followed by a man “who allegedly brandished a knife while making menacing and violent gestures at the children.”
”This incident alone is extremely alarming,” says the letter. “Even more worrisome was the lack of adequate response from the Amsterdam School administration.”
The letter says children reported the incident to the school’s main office, but the message never made it up the administrative ladder, said Business Administrator Aiman Mahmoud on Monday.
Mr. Mahmoud said the administration was “looking at the processes and procedures of why the incident was failed to be reported to the building principal or the superintendent.”
Mr. Mahmoud said Amsterdam School Principal Mary Ann Mullady notified Dr. Schiff about the incident for the first time Sunday afternoon. Dr. Schiff contacted the police, who initiated the investigation, Mr. Mahmoud said.
Mr. Tanalski said Wednesday that the incident left parents unsure about their trust in the school building and district administration.
Mr. Tanalski said he spoke with Dr. Schiff on Monday, and “he seemed genuinely concerned about the way the school handled this.”
Mr. Tanalski said, “It will take some time before we can evaluate whether we are satisfied with Dr. Schiff’s response. Our criteria are based on the school’s actions going forward, not simply what the administration says on the matter. For the other parents and me, this is now an issue of trust. We no longer fully trust the school administration to make proper decisions about the care of our children.”
He said “a large number of parents” think Dr Mullady should be removed.
”These were her people who mishandled the initial complaint, and she’s directly responsible for the culture, ethics and priorities of that office,” he said. “I, personally, am stopping just short of that request. I would like to hear what the board has to say about this incident first. If we feel the board’s response is inadequate, then we will be submitting a petition with a list of requested changes signed by a large number of parents.”
He said he planned to attend the board meeting tonight, Thursday.
Monday’s Instant Alert urged parents to be vigilant and to report suspicious behavior to the police.
The parents noted administrators’ comments about safety in December following violence against school children in Connecticut.
The letter refers to a Dec. 17 speech, for instance, where Dr. Schiff “touted the administration’s close ties with local police and the county prosecutor’s office as a pathway to securing schools,” the letter said.
The letter also quotes a Dec. 15 email from Dr. Mullady as saying, “Our school continues to be vigilant in school safety and security measures. I am committed to ensuring the safety of our students…”
The letter said, “Whether through a lack of fortitude to follow through on their commitments or through gross incompetence, this school’s administration failed to respond adequately (or at all) to a clear threat to student security.”

