San Benito High School officials’ delayed communication response
to the recent arrests of two students
– suspected of possessing explosive powder and conspiring to
possibly attack the campus – underscores a need to improve criteria
guiding how leaders react to such emergency situations.
San Benito High School officials’ delayed communication response to the recent arrests of two students – suspected of possessing explosive powder and conspiring to possibly attack the campus – underscores a need to improve criteria guiding how leaders react to such emergency situations.
It also brings to light how school leaders – stunningly in the post-Columbine, post-Sept. 11 age – still lack the sense of seriousness needed when it comes to preparation and response toward potentially catastrophic events.
School district officials chose to hold off on releasing information about the arrests until asked to respond by media four days after they had happened. Only after the police department announced the arrests did the school acknowledge the situation and address concerns with staff members and parents.
Superintendent Stan Rose noted how school leaders waited to ensure all the information was accurate, while he left the ominous impression they would have continued waiting – waiting to see if authorities ended up announcing the arrests publicly so they could weigh the possibility of brushing it under the rug altogether.
High school officials knew details almost immediately after the arrests Jan. 25 that should have, according to logic, spurred enough of a concern level to notify staff members and eventually parents as well. The following day would have been acceptable, but anything beyond that proves they either still somehow believe we are immune to catastrophe – certainly, it’s not the case – or they merely would prefer to stay hush about anything with potential to render fear.
After the school reported a classmate’s tip to police, investigators almost immediately alleged one of the boys possessed explosive powder and that both of them had conspired to plan an attack on the campus. They also reported finding diagrams for making bombs and a list of equipment, such as firearms, to obtain.
Sounds pretty serious, right?
Not to San Benito High School administrators, who should have used general awareness of the staff – the eyes and ears of the campus – to their advantage. Instead, they followed their usual routine – hiding from sensitive topics – and potentially placed the staff and students in further, preventable danger by once again taking the passive route.
What if, for instance, there was a third or fourth student involved in conspiring to attack the campus? What if certain staff members had keen knowledge about the two suspects, such as knowing others with whom they are friends?
Their contention that nobody on the campus was in imminent danger proves the point there is too much subjectivity in the system.
The district must begin to understand there is no hiding from reality. Bad things can happen here, too.
School leaders ultimately should learn from their mistake and develop a more structured set of criteria toward improving how they would respond to such emergencies, and how they would get information out as promptly as possible to the people who are potentially affected.
