09/28/2022
At this evening's School Board meeting, public comments were not shown due to technical difficulties. I would like to share my public comment below for transparency:
The board’s response to much of the information that has come out since November 30th has been “we didn’t know.” While I can absolutely see that being the case, I implore you to find out where the information is stopping before it reaches you. Is it the legal team, is it internal, is it both?
There are a few things that I want to bring to your attention. First, threat assessment policy 8400 was adopted in 2004 and was in place on 11/30/21. 8400 explicitly states that a threat assessment team shall be in place which consists of 5 members – the principal, the school counselor, the school psychologist, instructional personnel, and where applicable the SRO. The district failed before it even started here - I can find no evidence that a team was ever in place.
This policy also explicitly states that the process of threat assessment should be consistent with the Secret Service Threat Assessment Model. That Model says that these teams, should not only meet every time a concerning behavior has been brought to their attention, but should also meet ON A REGULAR BASIS, to engage in role-playing scenarios, so that every team member is keenly aware of their responsibilities if a situation arises. Again, I can find no evidence that this ever happened in the 17 years it was adopted as policy. Who was responsible for policy implementation?
The Secret Service Model also provides “markers” to consider during Step 4, of whether to involve law enforcement. “Reports regarding student behaviors involving weapons, threats of violence, physical violence, or concerns about an individual’s safety, should be IMMEDIATELY reported to law enforcement.” This text is outlined in bold, obviously relaying the significance of such behaviors. It also notes the importance of checking the student’s belongings.
In addition, the Model goes on to point out especially concerning markers that should trigger a thorough assessment. Some of these are, “inappropriate interest in weapons, mass attacks, or other types of violence,” “access to weapons,” “evidence of desperation, hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts,” “stressful events such as setbacks or losses,” and “whether others are concerned about the student’s statements or behaviors.”
Clearly, we heard that a teacher was so concerned that she not only emailed counselors multiple times, she went back through student assignments because she was that concerned. If like me, that was the first time that you all heard of this account, I again implore you to find out where the information is stopping within the system. I cannot fathom that this teacher cared so much to go above and beyond, that she has not told anyone in this district this account until now.
Speaking of teachers, did you know that Guidepost posted on their website 15 days ago asking anyone with information to schedule an interview for October 12th, 13th, and 14th. These will be held in Auburn Hills and Oxford, by scheduled appointment. Has the district relayed this information to all stakeholders, including teachers, so that those with information are encouraged to participate?
Lastly, I noticed that the district utilizes a program called SAEBRS which gives student surveys related to their social and emotional well-being. I couldn’t find much info given to parents regarding this program, so I went to their website to see what it was for. According to their website, this program provides the district with not only an overall behavior score of students, it provides subscores showing risks for social and emotional behavior problems. Further, reports are made available at the class level and individual student level. What has the district used these reports for? Where is the data showing results? Was there or is there currently a procedure in place to identify troubled children? If concerning responses are registered, is there follow up with individual students? Was this survey given to high school students? What grade levels were included? Did Ethan and his classmates take this survey?
Thank you for your time, I have many questions that I understand you cannot provide answers for this evening, so I will also email all of you tomorrow and look forward to hearing your responses.
