Autistic student at East Broadway Elementary in Levittown bullied by bus driver and aide, lawsuit alleges

The father of an autistic Levittown student has filed a federal lawsuit against the school district, alleging his child was bullied on multiple occasions by a bus driver and aide.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Central Islip by Mark Voros on behalf of his son, alleges that around March 2024, the East Broadway Elementary School student was repeatedly harassed by the driver and aide on the way to and from school. 

On audio recordings provided to the family by the parent of another student, the aide — identified in court papers as "Fran" — can be heard saying, "Nobody likes you," "We wish you could go on a different bus” and “You have no friends,” according to the suit. 

Fran could also be heard telling students on the bus to "raise their hands if they were 'sick' " of the boy, the suit alleged. The driver, identified as "Roger," urged students to join in, the suit said.

The student's parents received the audio recordings on March 22, 2024, according to the suit.

The suit was originally filed in October. In an amended complaint filed on Nov. 4, the student's father alleges the district failed to protect the boy from harm and take appropriate measures in response to allegations of "bullying, intimidation [and] harassment" of students.

Levittown schools Superintendent Todd Winch said in a statement to parents this week that the employees allegedly involved have not worked for the district "since the time of the incident."

He wrote, “We understand that news of this nature may raise questions and concerns. Please know that we remain committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive environment for every member of our school community.”

He declined to comment further, since it is an "active legal matter."

The family could not be reached for comment. Their attorney, Michael Iakovou, said in a statement, “This is not just about one bus ride — it is about a systemic failure to protect a child with disabilities. The conduct captured on these recordings is appalling. We will use every legal tool to hold the school district accountable and to ensure meaningful safeguards are put in place." 

The alleged harassment caused “significant emotional distress” to the student, who was “distraught at the prospect” of riding the bus, the suit said. His parents started picking him up and dropping him off at school and, even though the driver and aide were removed from the route, the boy "continued to exhibit anxiety related to bus transportation, indicating a lasting impact from the incidents," according to the suit.

The student's father is seeking a judgment "in a sum exceeding the jurisdictional limits of all lower courts which would have otherwise have jurisdiction, together with the costs and disbursements of this action," the suit said.