Chat about the school response to threats with Lawrence Supt. Randy Weseman

Lawrence School Supt. Randy Weseman will take your questions about the school district’s response to today’s bomb scare. Read about the bomb threat and school reaction » | Read about parents’ reaction, and school reaction to criticism » | See video interview with Weseman »

smgkag

How was this handled in the elementary schools? What were they told and why?

oldgoof

Based upon statistics, isn’t it true that a student faces a considerably higher risk in being injured or killed in a car drive to or from school, rather than in any incident such as a bomb.

kjh

There were some reports that schools were being “swept”, but my daughter’s school indicated there was no such search. Under what conditions after a bomb threat are such searches conducted?

srudisell

What are some of the specifics regarding the 24 hour surveillance of the cities schools that was mentioned this morning?

kansasnative

I would like to ask why there were so many LHS students allowed outside the building prior to 11:00 a.m. with no supervision. I was there to pick up my son and there were about 20 kids in the parking lot listening to music and just hanging out. There was no adult supervision. This is concerning.

mom_of_girls

As a parent I am comfortable with the steps that were taken to ensure the students safety today after I finally tracked down that information on my own. I was more concerned of the feelings of my children though. Reality to me as an adult can be very different than the view of a 7 and 9 year old. They need to know and feel that they are safe. If other parents are taking kids out of school left and right and mine are still there, they need to know that it is not because I don’t love them or care about their safety. Do I start sending a cell phone to school with them so that I can talk to them since it seems to be too much to allow me to talk to them when I call the school?

cetarr

Why weren’t parents given the option as to if we wanted to send our kids to school or not? We have that choice if the weather is bad but not letting us know until after school started, did not give us that chance here.

mom_of_girls

As a parent I am comfortable with the steps that were taken to ensure the students safety today after I finally tracked down that information on my own. I was more concerned of the feelings of my children though. Reality to me as an adult can be very different than the view of a 7 and 9 year old. They need to know and feel that they are safe. If other parents are taking kids out of school left and right and mine are still there, they need to know that it is not because I don’t love them or care about their safety. Do I start sending a cell phone to school with them so that I can talk to them since it seems to be too much to allow me to talk to them when I call the school?

papa6

Why weren’t Eudora schools closed?

Dayna38

Do you feel like you are well informed?

nursey

Why wasn’t school just canceled since the threat was made before classes started? What were the students told when they arrived to school?

drapkristina

Eudora school district has an automated notification system and it was used today. It worked wonderfully from a parents perspective. It calls cell phones and leaves messages. Why can’t Lawrence School District utilize this too?

busymom

When will parents know about school closings? And, I’ve heard that there are bomb threats like these nationwide?

Moderator

Welcome. This is Dennis Anderson, managing editor of the Lawrence Journal-World. Randy Weseman, superintendent of Lawrence Schools, will chat today about the district’s response to bomb threats this morning. I’ll start immediately with our readers’ questions.

kidster

As with many parents, the problem was with how and when we did or did not find out about the incident. I am very luck that I was notified by a neighbor who has a daughter that attends Bishop Seabury Academy.
Why did schools not make simple attempts to notify parents? What about the district?

Randy Weseman

The emergency plan utilized by the district in associaton with the Douglas Co. Emergency group is one of notification of all media outlets. Statements are given on a regular basis to these outlets in order to keep people informed. There are home notification systems that have been discussed but the reality is that only a certain percent of people may be at home etc when a notificaiton is issued. Research indicates that most people are connected to a media source during the day. Examples include the local radio station and the LJWORLD.COM (breaking news). These are immediate sources that offer up-to-date information released on a regular basis.

Eagle_aye

I would like to know why there is no automated call system in Lawrence schools. I have heard other local/smaller schools have them.

Randy Weseman

I’m not sure what type of sytem you are referencing; however, the county-wide emergency group has discussed a system (phone number) that could be accessed by individuals in times of community emergency. I would support this system as another vehicle for the distribution of information.

NoFear

What action can/does the district take to reduce the fear mongering that happens after such tragic incidents as the Virginia Tech shootings?

Randy Weseman

This is a difficult task. After incidents such as V. Tech and Columbine there is a hightened state of fear. I see such evidence in the behavior of kids and staff as well as parents. Unfortunately, there are people who take advantage of this state of fear and make threats such as delievered today. In terms of reducing the “fear mongering” it always helps to talk about it. Families should talk about it together and we try to address it in our schools with certain programs and counseling.

openyourmindandshutyourmouth

Why when calling schools to get information was the public told there was a threat of “an act of violence” instead of being forthright and telling parents it was indeed a bomb threat?

Randy Weseman

Statements of fact are issued to schools so that accurate information can be issued. I can’t repond to this direct quote unless in know the source. We received two notifications of threat: One indicated that a “bomb threat” was stated in generic fashion for all “schools in Douglas Co.” while the other indicated that some other harm might happen. I assume the person giving you the information was speaking generally, not having specific information. Schools are given instructions regarding what part of the emergency plan is in place from a command center. Since you are initially dealing from an emergency/crisis posture, details may come later. The control and distribution of information is always the most difficult task associated with these events because information is coming in short bursts.

centuryestimator

What exactly is the District’s Crisis Response Plan, and is it available for public viewing?

Randy Weseman

The plan is extensive. It is available (from the director of safety) to the extent that our security sytems are not compromised. Each school has its own specific plan based on its size and configuration. We also have an extensive video monitoring system that operates 24/7. The research on violent acts tells us that the most often occur without direct warning. Therefore, the bulk of our securty expenditures are designed accordingly. We can pinpoint activity that might lead to acts of violence or vandilism etc. Since the installation of these systems we have successfully solved and deterred several acts of vandalism. We are now talking about extending these security devices and looking at additonal access security.

ModSquadGal

I was personally impressed with the response this morning. Considering the vague circumstances, I think all that could have been done, was done. However, is there a policy about this type of situation that applies to ALL schools in Lawrence (including daycare schools like Raintree, etc.)? And do you feel the decision to remove kids from school should be left to the parents? Thank you.

Randy Weseman

All start with your last question. Parents always have the right to remove their kids. In these situations I tend to understand that each parent has their own emotional response, based on the information they have absorbed from whomever. There are situations that may require evacuation and we make these determinations on a situational basis.

Our emergency master plan does not include the private settings. I believe they are referenced in the county plan but don’t quote me. The private schools do tend to follow our decisions about school closings.

midwestmom

Will there be school tomorrow? Have all after school activities for today been canceled?

Randy Weseman

I will be heading back to my office and team after this chat session to make that determination. Based on what I know right now I would say that there will be school tommorrow. Activities tonight will need further discussion. Stay tuned to LJWorld.com.

mjallen

please describe, in general terms, what the schools and the district do when schools go into lock-down mode.

Randy Weseman

Let’s start with what happened today which is semi-lock-down. All entrances are limited and in most cases there is only one way in or out. This entrance is monitoring by security and entrance is limited to known entities such as parents who might be picking up their kids. Total lock-down would secure the school at all entrances and individuals rooms. Total lock-down would be indictative of an intruder in the building.

rose4467

how will we know if the situation is over and there’s no worry for students tomorrow?

Randy Weseman

Statements will be issued throught the media and school communications depending on the time of issuance.

dfanshier

Will there be any special dismissal plans for picking up our kids after school? Mine usually walk out to an adjacent street to be picked up.

Randy Weseman

As of this moment, dismissal will be of the usual nature but highly monitored and additional security.

Moderator

Randy Weseman had to return to his office. We thank him for his time. We also thank the readers for their questions. There were too many questions for him to possibly answer in the time allowed.