Albion will discuss school safety on Nov. 19 at meeting in auditorium
ALBION — The school district is holding a public meeting for parents at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 in the Middle School Auditorium to discuss how parents can help their children feel safe at school.
Last week three middle school students were charged with conspiracy for an alleged plot to kill other students and staff at the school.
The students have been suspended, and their cases are being handled in Family Court and by Probation.
Police, mental health personnel and school officials will be at the meeting on Tuesday evening, Michael Bonnewell, district superintendent, said in a letter posted on the district website and that also went home with students today.
“I know that this situation has been unnerving for everyone in our school community,” Bonnewell writes in the letter today. “We at school recognize the concerns that have been expressed and appreciate your ongoing patience and understanding. As we have noted before, the legal and disciplinary processes, as well as student privacy laws, prohibit us from sharing certain information.”
The school superintendent said safety remains the district’s first priority. At this point, the district can share the following:
• The code of conduct for suspensions requires a disciplinary hearing process dictated by the state and the three hearings are forthcoming.
• The district will continue having a school resource officer on campus from the Albion Police Department, with additional patrols from the Albion PD.
• The school resource officer and middle school principal met with middle school students to discuss their safety.
• The district will continue to pursue the best available safety and security, reviewing safety practices and procedures with staff, local law enforcement, State Police, architects and safety design specialists.
Bonnewell said “misinformation” by rumor, social media and the in the press “makes the situation even more difficult.”
He urged any students or parents to share any possible safety concerns with school building principals or the superintendent’s office.
