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FEBRUARY 23, 2018
School security up after threats
STAFFORD DEMOCRATS HOST FORUM
» BY TRACY BELL
tbell@insidenova.com
S
tafford County Public Schools has ramped up security at its schools following a Valentine’s Day mass shooting at a south Florida high school. Extra deputies from the Stafford County Sheriff ’s Office were sent to the schools this week, with a further precaution stemming from threats to two Stafford and Spotsylvania schools. On Sunday, parents were alerted that T. Benton Gayle Middle School in Stafford, along with Thornburg Middle School in Spotsylvania, was threatened on several social media sites. A photo of a handgun was posted along with the threats to the schools. An alert sent to parents and posted publicly read: “Stafford County Public Schools received information of a threatening message posted on social media over the weekend concerning T. Benton Gayle Middle School. The [Stafford County] Sheriff ’s Office is investigating the incident. As a precaution, deputies will provide extra security at the school. Please be assured the administration at Gayle Middle School will continue to investigate the source of the threat as well as to maintain vigilance to provide for student safety. We are taking this matter very seriously and ask for your help. If your child knows of the person who posted the threatening message, contact school administrators. Please encourage your student to report any threats to the school. The safety of students and staff is of the utmost importance for Stafford County Public Schools.”
The Stafford County Democratic Committee hosted a candidates’ forum at the Porter Library on Feb. 17, with the four candidates vying to represent the Democratic Party in the run for the 1st District seat in Congress held by Republican Rob Wittman. Ben M. Litchfield, chair of the committee, left, opened the forum for Ryan Sawyers, Vangie Williams, John Suddarth and Edwin Santana. Some 30 residents attended the 2-hour event. SUBMITTED
Parents, teachers worry about students’ safety » BY TRACY BELL
S
tbell@insidenova.com
everal Stafford residents addressed the Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday with concerns about their children’s safety at school. Ashley Goff, of North Stafford, said that she has two daughters in school. “Dropping my kids off at school today was one of the scariest things I’ve done in a very long time – not knowing if those threats circulating the internet would happen, if they would be safe or make it home.” She was referring to social-media threats over the weekend directed at one Stafford school and one Spotsylvania school. The threats came in the wake of a south Florida mass shooting at a high school where 17 people died. “All kids should have the right to feel safe at school,” she said. “A lot of things need to be done to ensure children’s safety.”
Goff told the board that she’s talked to other concerned parents and collaborated over ideas to make schools safer. Some of the suggestions included metal detectors in schools or the use of a trial metal detector in one school; armed officers or retired military at entrances; more frequent activeshooter training for staff; groups that would help identify troubled students; more detailed information required to pick up students; and more secure side doors and entrances that put safety at risk. “We know this won’t happen overnight and could increase taxes but is something that needs to be done,” she said. “…These kids need to know that they matter and are important to us.” Kenya Wallach also spoke to the board. “If there’s ever a time for the board of supervisors, school board and community agencies to come together, it is now,” she said.
Stafford County Supervisor Jack Cavalier, R-Griffis-Widewater District, said there is less than one resource officer in each middle and high school, meaning that some officers are shared. “The one thing we can do here locally and that we should do locally… We need to come up with a better plan to secure our schools because they are targets. A lot of places are,” he said. Cavalier said he’d like to get the ball rolling on a plan that will not get shelved for three years. He wants the board to meet with sheriff ’s office and security personnel to devise a plan, acknowledging, “Yeah, it’s going to cost a little money. … I’m not going to stay silent on this. I want to see real results. We can provide better security than what we have now.” Andy Hayes, a teacher at T. Benton Gayle Middle School and the Stafford Education Association president, said that it can be extremely unpredictable and stressful to be a teacher. He asked for proper funding and lower class sizes, noting noticeably fewer students in class Tuesday. SUPERVISORS » PAGE 2
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