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SUNNY Temp: 57 °F Wind: NW at 4 mph Sunday, October 5, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 27, 2003 Rogue River school threats addressed By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — Superintendent Charles Hellman assured about 120 parents and students gathered at a middle school open house Thursday he was working to improve the district’s response to threats of violence following an incident earlier this week. A threat — "On Sept 24th I will kill 10 ppl w/ a gun" — was found scrawled on a stall in the girls’ bathroom at the middle school Monday. But neither Hellman nor police were told until Tuesday afternoon, and most parents were not aware of it until Wednesday — when they arrived at the school to a scene of armed police and television cameras. A 13-year-old girl whose handwriting appeared to match the message was arrested without incident Wednesday. She was charged with disorderly conduct and released to her mother. Hellman told the open house audience that middle school Principal Steve Reed was seriously ill and that his absence may have contributed to the breakdown in communication. Advertisement Hellman said he was reviewing the school’s protocols and information systems and was considering parents’ suggestions for improvements, including the creation of a phone tree. "When we have an anxious moment, you need to be informed," Hellman acknowledged. "We couldn’t get it (the information) out. We didn’t have a system." Sara Angeletti, parent and site-council member, asked Hellman pointed questions about the incident. "To this day, I have had no official notification of what happened," said Angeletti. "Why did the police know before you? Why weren’t you notified? Who was responsible for notifying?" Terry Fimbres has sons in both the middle and high schools. Fimbres countered this is not a time for negative "attitudes." "I know this wasn’t handled right. I know that," Fimbres said. "But everyone makes mistakes. Let’s take this negative and make it a positive. Let’s find a solution." Angeletti said she wants solutions, too, adding that if she’d known about the threat, her seventh-grade daughter would have been one of the 100 students who stayed home that day. "If I had screwed up this badly, I’d be explaining myself to the bar," said Angeletti, an attorney. "If we can’t look to these guys to handle an emergency, if this isn’t their job, what is?" School board member Trayce Geddes said the threat was not handled well at the middle school, but warned against "finger-pointing." "We have to be honest about the mistakes that were made, but not go straight to a lynch mob," said Geddes. A copycat threat, "A teacher will be killed at lunch," was found in a boys’ bathroom at the high school Wednesday morning. Hellman, the sheriff’s department and parents were notified that day. The 15-year-old student who reported the incident confessed Thursday. Like the middle school student, he was charged with disorderly conduct and released to a parent. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times