Bus Driver Accused of Fraud Likely Faces Suspension

A Warren woman accused of insurance fraud may find her employment as a Green Brook school bus driver in jeopardy.

King George Road resident Luanne Stewart-Mastroianni .

District officials have declined to discuss the situation, but did say the district has been cooperating with investigators working on the case. 

"We are surprised and concerned about the news of Ms. Stewart-Mastroianni’s arrest," Superintendent of Schools Richard Labbe said. "We are cooperating with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and will continue to do so as this situation develops. However, since this is a personnel and legal matter, we are not at liberty to discuss it beyond that."

School districts are guided in handling such situations by the state Department of Education and the Prosecutor's Office, which has agreements with county districts outlining how to handle school employees charged with crimes.

New Jersey administrative code requires school employees to notify the school superintendent of any charges filed within seven days. Districts can place employees facing criminal charges on suspension with pay, suspending pay if a grand jury indicts the employee.

In most cases, conviction means termination for school employees.

As a bus driver, Stewart-Mastroianni may be a 10-month employee or may have an 11-month contract to include some summer work. If Stewart-Mastroianni is a 10-month employee, then suspension could be a moot point.

The Green Brook Board of Education is likely to discuss the situation in an executive session at its next meeting, July 23.