Alison Downer, 71, of Te Horo, on the Kapiti coast, killed Mr van Kampen as he biked home from the Waikanae school he taught at on September 18. She was nearly twice the legal drink-drive limit at the time.
At her sentencing in Palmerston North District Court, it was revealed that the killing was the alcoholic's fourth drink-driving conviction since 1991. She had twice previously blown almost three times the legal breath-alcohol limit.
Downer has been treated for alcoholism at several institutions around the country, including Ashburn Hall and Hanmer Springs, the court was told.
The van Kampen family said Downer's previous convictions proved a lack of remorse.
Mr van Kampen's partner, Jude Pouwels, wept through yesterday's hearing and said last night that she was disgusted by the sentence.
"They say that with age, comes wisdom, but with this defendant, only comes more alcohol. She thinks she is above the law but is actually a danger to the public," Ms Pouwels told the Dominion Post.
"It is appalling. Two and half years is not justice for Frank's life. It is not sending a clear message to drink-drivers, it is not a deterrent to anybody."
Although Judge Les Atkins ordered Downer to pay $30,000 reparation to Mr van Kampen's family, Ms Pouwels said she did not want the money and it would go into a trust for her two children -- Mr van Kampen's stepson 13-year-old Dante, and the couple's daughter, Alexandra, now six months old.
Ms Pouwels said she believed the Downer family should pay for her children's upbringing.
"I have lost everything. I feel the Downer family should do the right thing by my children."
Supporters of Ms Downer said she was "distraught" and "hurting" at what had happened and would struggle to cope in prison.
