Newly uncovered records show that a Conroe ISD bus aide who was caught on camera beating a student had a criminal record.
Earlier this month bus monitor Donald Tisdel sent a student to the hospital after beating him with an object. The monitor reportedly attacked the student when he attempted to disembark from the bus.
According to a video taken of the event, the student—a 17-year-old foster child—never fought back, while the bus monitor screamed and lashed out at him.
Breaking – A CISD bus driver brutally beat a student (he’s a foster child) today. Witnesses say the kid never once hit back.
The child is currently in the ER for injuries. @ConroeISD is in the middle of trying to pass a 2 billion dollar bond. pic.twitter.com/mG8AP8IU21
— Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) August 11, 2023
The student recording the video can be heard telling the bus monitor that he will lose his job for hitting a kid and encouraging the student, referred to as “Big Mike,” not to hit back.
Mike is then seen backing away from the monitor and joining the other students at the back of the bus.
Conroe ISD released a statement following the incident, stating, “We are disturbed by this unacceptable behavior which is not representative of our hundreds of hard-working transportation staff. The individual is no longer employed by the District, and the Conroe ISD Police Department is completing their investigation with the expectation of pursuing criminal charges.”
Now, a new report from the Montgomery County Police Reporter reveals Tisdel was arrested and booked on August 17 for Assault Causing Bodily Injury, presumably for the bus incident.
This is not Tisdel’s only run-in with the law, however.
Tisdel had previous arrests and convictions for offenses including theft, possession of a controlled substance, and failure to stop and render aid.
The district has also been in the news after a teacher told school board members, “don’t make me choose bullets” during a recent school board meeting. That teacher is still employed by the district.
As of publishing, Conroe ISD did not respond to a request for comment.
