BURTON ISD SAYS STUDENTS SAFE AFTER ‘INAPPROPRIATE’, ‘THREATENING’ COMMENTS

  

Burton ISD is communicating with parents after several incidents of “inappropriate” or “threatening” comments were reported at Burton Elementary School.

Administrators sent four letters dated September 12^th, September 23^rd, September 26^th and October 9^th to the parents of students in varying grade levels.  Two were sent to parents of 4^th grade students, one went to the parents of 3^rd and 4^th grade students, and another was provided to the parents of 5^th grade students. 

In each of the letters, the school says it “investigated the situation immediately and addressed the incident.”  The school also says that in none of the situations was a weapon brought to campus, adding in one of the letters that there were no vapes on campus, either. 

Superintendent Vikki Curry, speaking during Monday’s Burton ISD report on KWHI, advised families to speak to their children about the gravity of making inappropriate or threatening remarks.

One of the letters, from September 23^rd, referenced a comment made “in relation to guns and hunting”.  Another from September 26^th addressed a comment “in relation to a child bringing a knife to school”.

In a written statement, Curry said all threats or inappropriate comments, whether they are spoken, written or implied, are taken “with the utmost seriousness”.  She said Burton ISD’s response procedures “are designed to address potential risks swiftly and effectively, ensuring that all appropriate actions are taken to safeguard everyone involved.”

Curry said if a threat is reported, the response protocol for campus administrators includes immediate assessment, collaboration with authorities, communicating with families and providing support systems to those affected.

Each of the letters thanks either students or parents for communicating with the school, saying, “Safety is our top priority, and we are proud of the students for reporting their concerns to us.” 

Below is the full statement from Curry:

At Burton ISD, our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community. We take any threats or inappropriate threatening comments, whether verbal, written, or implied, with the utmost seriousness. Our comprehensive threat response procedures are designed to address potential risks swiftly and effectively, ensuring that all appropriate actions are taken to safeguard everyone involved.

Upon receiving any credible threat, campus administrators follow a clear and established protocol, which includes:

1. Immediate Assessment: We work closely with our trained threat assessment team to assess the threat's credibility. 
2. Collaboration with Authorities: In every instance, we maintain open communication with the campus SROs and Safety Officer, who assist in determining the necessary level of response.
3. Communication with Families: To ensure transparency, we proactively send letters to the parents of students in the affected grade levels and classrooms. Additionally, we maintain open lines of communication with the parents of all students directly involved in any incidents.
4. Support Systems: We understand that incidents involving threats can cause concern and anxiety within the community. To that end, we provide access to counseling and other services for students and staff who may be affected.

Our priority is to ensure that every step we take enhances the safety of our school environment. We are committed to maintaining a secure and nurturing environment where learning can thrive. We seek the help of parents, religious institutions, and community members in speaking with children about the importance of using school-appropriate language and understanding the weight of their words and actions. Open communication at home and within community spaces can reinforce the values of respect, kindness, and responsibility. Conversations about appropriate behavior, both in person and online, help students recognize the impact their words can have and reduce the potential for misunderstandings that could be perceived as threats or inappropriate comments. If you see something, say something, by immediately reporting it to school officials or law enforcement. By working together, we can continue to protect our schools.