I think there’s quite a bit of research on this. We don’t have to rely solely on our opinions.
People who know my opinion from previous discussions of this know I am categorically against hitting, no matter what you call it. No spanking. No love pats. Always sparing the rod.
Kids learn by imitation. When we hit them or spank them or whatever, they learn that is acceptable and that is how they try to relate to others kids, thereafter. That is also how they relate to their parents. Only since they don’t have power, they need to use other techniques, like passive resistance, or subterfuge. What they have learned is disrespect, not respect. No one hits anyone they respect. They discuss things.
I didn’t watch the video. I think there are special problems when we are talking about children who are not yours. With these middle schoolers, they need to be forbidden to ride the bus. That is a privilege they lose if they do not treat the monitor respectfully. Their parents will have to find other ways to get them to school.
Presumably, some of the parents will use spanking. There’s not much we can do about that at home. But if the kids misbehave, the parents could be required to attend a mandatory discipline training program before their kids are allowed to attend school again. They will not be allowed back on the bus. Period. Not that year.
That’s how I’d handle it. I’d also do some training with monitors, to teach them how to handle kids better. Things should never have escalated to that point, whatever that point was. Adults and kids need better training. Unfortunately, their parents often don’t give them good training. That does not mean the rest of us should throw up our hands in disgust and let them grow up to morons and petty criminals. We need to help educate kids in personal relations even if their parents can’t do it.