MANSFIELD, Ohio — Mansfield Senior High School hosted a community forum Thursday night to quell concerns resulting from a rash of bomb threats within the district. The arrest of an 11-year-old girl was also reported in one of the incidents.
An unknown caller called John Sherman Elementary on Oct. 20 warning the school of a bomb threat. Hours later, a message was found in Mansfield Senior High School’s bathroom wall with a similar threat. Both schools evacuated promptly.
On Wednesday, Malabar Intermediate School evacuated after finding a similar message, also written on the bathroom wall. Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz reported the arrest of an 11-year-old girl in connection to that incident. (See attached news release.)
And later that day, Mansfield Senior High School found another message on a bathroom wall, resulting in an evacuation.
The school district consequently canceled all classes on Thursday.
Superintendent Brian Garverick said Thursday evening that the staff and faculty met during the day to ensure all were informed on the proper procedures and plans moving forward.
Many Mansfield public officials attended the forum, including Mayor Tim Theaker, Mansfield Police Department Chief of Police Ken Coontz, Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon, Richland County Prosecutor Bambi Couch Page and Law Director John Spon.
To begin the evening’s discussion, Garverick addressed the crowd of concerned parents and teachers.
“You always have a plan in place for a crisis but the administrator makes that call to evacuate the building. They’re trained to follow the plan,” said Garverick.
Garverick continued by commending all the staff involved in making sure the students were safe in every incident. In his thanks he included every department that was affected by the bomb threats and evacuations that ensued.
“We were successful in terms of we did not lose one child that was reported to us. We did not lose one child. And that is very very important to us,” said Garverick amidst cheers and applause.
Following Garverick, Coontz addressed the audience. He thanked parents for attending the meeting, exhorting them to attend public meetings and to be involved in their children’s education.
Coontz said there are three types of threats: those that came from text messages, another came from an automatic call and the message written on bathroom walls.
“What we found out about auto calling, that category, what we believe — I can’t give you too much information about it — but the information we are in possession of indicates that those making bomb threats are not even in the state of Ohio,” said Coontz.
He assured the audience that the department will continue their investigation aggressively. In addition to the 11 year old’s arrest, Coontz said law enforcement continues to follow leads and are interviewing suspects.
“Trust me, we’ll continue to investigate the incidents. In the end, it doesn’t matter — if you’re 10-years-old or if you’re forty or fifty-years-old, you’re going to be arrested; you’re going to be incarcerated,” said Coontz.
As part of the forum, parents and guardians were invited to address the school district with their concerns and comments.
Community member and grandparent to a ninth grade student at Mansfield Senior High Rilda Burchfield was one of the first to speak. She was concerned with what she perceived as the school’s lack of diligence.
“We received a text from my grandson around 11:25 [a.m.] saying there’s been a bomb threat,” she said. “Next thing we heard was 12:15 [p.m.]. He says ‘Now they’re going to evacuate us again to Arlin Field. That was 45 minutes. Forty-five minutes–something could have happened.”
After a few more concerned parents and guardians voiced their concerns, the tone shifted. Parents — and students — praised the administration and staff for keeping the students safe.
Mansfield Senior High School senior Phineas Stanfield thanked Mansfield Police Officer James Perry, one of the school’s patrol officers that monitors the high school building.
“I have never felt that my life and my personal safety has been in danger,” he said as the crowd erupted into applause. “You guys have done an excellent job of keeping everyone calm throughout these procedures and making sure that all of the students … I have never felt that my life has been in danger, and I thank you for that,” he added as the crowd proceeded to give him a standing ovation.
He then proceeded to address the individuals behind the threats.
“It’s not funny. You’re not cool. It’s not cute. I’m not impressed. I would appreciate it if you stopped,” he exclaimed, amidst cheers.
Michelle Carsey, a grandparent to a student at the Spanish Immersion school, said that she is confident that her grandchild is safe.
“She lives in Lexington, out of the district. She comes here through open enrollment and I feel secure knowing that she is safe,” said Carsey.
Garverick confirmed Mansfield City Schools will be in session as normal on Friday, Oct. 23.
Mansfield police ask residents to report any information about school threats to Major Crimes Lt. Rob Skropits at 419-755-9755.
Richland Source will limit coverage of school threats to essential information unless there is a confirmed critical event. We will report responsibly without sensationalizing in a effort to reduce escalation of events.
