School Bus Aide Pleads Guilty to Trespassing, Threat

Staten Island Woman Invaded Family Home with a Knife

A Staten Island school bus aide who assists students with special needs has admitted to illegally entering a family’s home while brandishing a knife, and subsequently threatening them with job loss. The incident raises concerns about the safety of students and their families.

Intrusion and Confrontation

On December 6th, **Joanne Dash**, 59, allegedly entered the property of an unidentified family in New Springville. A resident reported to authorities that **Dash** was in an area leading to the main living room, carrying a knife. An 18-year-old male occupant encountered **Dash** before she fled in a vehicle, shouting, “You cost me my job.”

**Dash** was arrested on December 17th. While the exact motive remains unclear, sources indicate the family resided on her school bus route. Court records do not detail any prior interactions between **Dash** and the family.

Plea Deal and Court Outcome

**Dash** appeared in criminal court on May 1st and was granted supervised release. She voluntarily appeared in supreme court last week, where the court issued a full and final order of protection for the property owner and residents.

**John Rapawy**, **Dash’s** attorney, informed the judge on June 5th that his client fully understood the terms of her plea agreement and had the support of her family. **Dash** waived her rights to appeal and review the prosecution’s evidence.

Prosecutors agreed to a plea deal requiring **Dash** to complete 16 anger management courses. She had faced a potential prison sentence of five to 25 years if convicted on the top charge. A violation of the plea deal could result in a one-year jail sentence.

According to the National Education Association, approximately 8% of public school teachers report being threatened with violence by a parent or student each year, highlighting the increasing challenges faced by school personnel. NEA Statistics on School Violence

Related Incidents

This case is one of several recent incidents involving school transportation personnel. Other cases include a school bus driver in Alaska arrested for DUI and firearm possession, an Alabama driver accused of assaulting a student with special needs, and a North Carolina student bringing a knife onto a school bus. A West Virginia driver also recently accepted a guilty plea for DUI.

BREAKING: A Staten Island school bus matron has been arrested after allegedly trespassing on a family’s property with a knife, shouting, “You cost me my job.” 🚨https://t.co/q9q9q9q9q9

— World Today News (@WorldTodayNews1) June 7, 2024

The incident underscores the importance of thorough background checks and ongoing support for school personnel to ensure the safety and well-being of students and their families.