MANSFIELD, Ohio – Three people voiced their concerns and questions regarding the rash of school threats Wednesday evening during Mansfield City Schools Board of Education meeting at the Raemelton Administration Office Building.
While the board passed a handful of resolutions and approved other items, the meeting was dominated with discussion about the recent incidents.
All board members were in attendance at the meeting with the exception of vice president Dina Davis.
“The last few days have been tenuous for the Mansfield City Schools to say the least,” district superintendent Brian Garverick said during his report. “So much has happened, so much has transpired, so much has gone into the execution of the safety and evacuation plans at the schools that have already had to endure that.”
The first person to address the board was April Bragg, who wanted to know if any plans were in place to pass safety drills for evacuation procedures, especially for elementary-age children.
“I know it’s no one person’s fault, and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop [the threats], but I feel if policies were in place for an evacuation route where the kids, especially the younger ones, are going on them on a regular basis, it wouldn’t be so fearful for them,” Bragg said during the meeting.
Garverick said there were no plans that he knew of currently in place for such a procedure.
“You make a good point, Ms. Bragg,” he said.
While she said she didn’t disagree with Bragg, board member Monica Hubbard added that a drill is just a drill.
“Even when children practice drills over and over again, the fear factor is up by a magnitude [when it actually happens], regardless of whether you’ve practiced it or not,” she said.
Board President Renda Cline said as the board moves forward, policies for those procedures need to be added.
Bragg was followed by Jennifer Lambert, who questioned, among several things, the district’s protocol in regards to evaluating threatening calls.
“My concern starts with last week, when the issues at Madison came, and we got the calls about Mansfield Senior being on a soft lockdown due to threats in the area,” she said. “Later, it comes out there was a call that says they should be evacuated.”
All Mansfield City School buildings were placed on soft lockdown last Wednesday after a call was taken around 11 a.m., in which an unidentified male caller made threatening comments.
Garverick responded by explaining the district’s protocol, which includes evaluating the phone call for content and message. He said four administrators, a school resource officer, and a secretary took that call.
“They went through the protocol for the evaluation of that situation, and that was the call that was made – there was no mention of bombs, there was no mention of guns or weapons of any sort,” he said. “There was a use of profanity and threat of bodily harm that wasn’t specific, and there were loud music and laughter in the background of that call.”
“So because there’s loud music and laughing, that doesn’t mean that those things can happen?” questioned Jennifer Lambert, whose brother-in-law took the floor after her.
Roy Lambert expressed concern with district teachers and said his daughter recently asked a teacher why the school was on lockdown.
“The teacher explained to her, ‘Do your work and don’t worry about it,’” he said. “That was the direct answer from the teacher.”
He added that he doesn’t respect the school system anymore and is trying to find ways to get his children out of it. He did not disclose during the meeting which school or teacher was involved.
Before breaking for executive session, Cline thanked the audience for attending the meeting, adding that meetings are held in public so people can have their voices heard.
“I’m speaking as one board member, who’s part of a collective team, and that’s been one thing that I’ve stressed to everyone – that we’re one cohesive team,” she said after the meeting. “As I’ve stated before, we can’t tear ourselves apart from the inside out and have to work as a team.”
Garverick echoed Cline’s comment, saying it is important for people to attend public meetings to offer their opinions on community issues.
“That’s why we have that forum for people to stand up and challenge policies, to challenge practices, and it’s important in our society for people to do that and express that productively,” he said. “And that’s why we’re having the community event tomorrow evening.”
A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday in the Mansfield High School auditorium to address the recent threats. According to the Mansfield City Schools’ website, district administrators and law enforcement officials will be in attendance and share information and answer questions.
Additionally, the district canceled classes at all its schools Thursday. Staff will report and be advised of further instructions.
While the board was in executive session, Mansfield School Employees Association President Pam Jones and First Vice President Ed Golden addressed media.
“By publicizing [these threats], they’re getting their glory,” said Jones, adding that reporting on these incidents, she believes, has perpetuated what is happening at Mansfield Senior.
To clarify, Jones said she felt that some board members spoke “out of their scope” in recent reports.
“A board member is not just one, it is five board members,” she said.
She did not disclose to which board member she was referring.
“Ms. Renda Cline is the board president, and if board members need to speak, she should be the first call to make,” Golden said.
At the start of the meeting, Cline opened by telling those in attendance that she believes it is everyone’s common goal to keep their children safe and educated.
“This is serious business – we’re talking about educating our children, and we’re talking about protecting our local governments, which as a board, that’s what we’re called to do and what we’re elected to do,” she said.
After the meeting, Cline also noted that she would like to see more people attend board meetings to learn about what is being done for the community’s children and not just when crises or elections are happening.
Garverick said the board is working diligently with law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations, to apprehend those involved with the threats.
“[These threats] impact our entire community, and I’m not just talking about our school community,” he said. “This is a Mansfield situation.”
He added that the board won’t rest until those involved are brought to justice.
“[These threats] impact our entire community, and I’m not just talking about our school community,” he said. “This is a Mansfield situation,” Superintendent Brian Garverick said.
