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Concerns over student and faculty safety were raised by several parents during the South Williamsport school board meeting this week.
The unease stems from a threat posted to social media on Jan. 11, to shoot and burn down the house of a faculty member who had removed the student from a song in the upcoming school musical. The post also directed hate speech towards theater parents and fellow students, according to parents who spoke at the meeting.
The student suffered no direct consequences from the school due to the threats being issued off campus, the parents said.
"I understand that this entire situation occurred off campus and after school hours, and that students are guaranteed freedom of speech through the First Amendment," one parent said.
"But, the Supreme Court has recently weighed in on this subject," he said, pointing out that the court has found four areas in which "a school's regulatory interests remain," concerning off-campus activities.
These areas include "serious or severe harassment or bullying, targeting particular individuals," as well as "threats aimed at teachers or other students."
"I truly hope district decision makers on the school board consider the negative impact the situation has on students in their day-to-day education and extracurricular activities, and the negative image the lack of discipline on this matter conveys," he said.
Another parent whose child is on the cheer team spoke of her child's intimidation being around the threatening student and the indifference of some school officials.
"I contacted the athletic director and the cheer coach over my concerns with this girl being there with my daughter, and the coach explained that there was nothing she could do since this child was not suspended from school," she said, adding that while the student was benched, she was still allowed to attend games.
"After I told her my child would not be attending, I was told she would be marked as an unexcused absence, and if she had three, she would be kicked off the team," the parent said.
"I think there's a difference between you, as the administration and school board feeling safe, and our kids actually feeling safe," another parent offered, stating that several students had expressed feeling unsafe with the student allowed to attend classes and extracurricular activities.
The parent also raised concerns for the faculty member who bore the brunt of the threatening behavior.
"I think he's putting on a good face, but I think he is concerned as well," she said. "I've heard that there is a safety plan in place for this child, but I wonder if there's one for him, and if there isn't, there should be."
"The reaction that this child had after just being removed from a song, not from the play, from one song, was so over the top," she said. "I worry what would happen if she is removed from cheer or some other thing. And I think everybody here should worry about that."
"This is a societal issue and to expect the school board to fix this issue on a grand scale is unrealistic," another parent said. "However, the responsibility to foster an environment where everyone feels safe and accepted is the absolute priority," the parent said, adding that any student making terroristic threats, "no matter who they are they should be held accountable for their actions.
"Otherwise we, as a whole, are encouraging disparity and hatred among our children," the parent said.
In other business, the board approved a funding package for renovations to the Rodney K. Morgans football stadium at a cost of $1,318,729.05 million to be paid from the Capital Reserve Fund.
The package includes over $370,000 for a Hummer Turfgrass System, $263,410 with a $10,000 powerline installation contingency for a new lighting system from Musco Sports Lighting, with a further $527,750 going to Stadium Solutions Inc. and $17,576 for the Schrader Group.
Additionally, the total includes estimated bonding costs of $20,210.65, a construction contingency of $73,039.90, and professional service fees from ELA Sports at $36,442.50.
The board approved an overnight field trip request by Amy Vance to take FCCLA students to the Wyndham Lancaster Resort and Convention Center in Lancaster March 17 to 20 for the State Leadership Conference, as well as adding AED training as a requirement of graduation.
The board also approved the 2024-2025 school calendar, and a Change Order with Illuminated Integration to purchase 450 pounds of counter bricks for the mid stage traveler at a cost of $1,226.00.
In staffing issues, the board approved Selena Lopez as classroom monitor, Mckenna Woodley for the position of fourth grade Special Education teacher at a salary of $48,053 and Austyn Carson as a guest teacher for BLaST IU17.
Margaret Furst was given tenure, with the board calling her "an excellent addition to our staff," who has "rebuilt the French Department and is a student favorite."
The board met in executive session following the regular meeting "regarding personnel matters and student discipline."
The next meeting will be 6 p.m. on Feb. 12.