North Tonawanda High School "Administrator" Continues to Jeopardize Safety of Students...

A recent article by me titled "North Tonawanda High School
"Administrator" Continues to Jeopardize Safety of Students, Staff and
Visitors" was removed from NowPublic by me for the reason that in
re-reading TONAWANDA NEWS reporter Phil Dzikiy's article "NORTH
TONAWANDA: Bomb threat at NTHS" conflicting statements were noticed
related to the procedure(s) followed during the bomb threat alleged to
have occurred 11 January 2008 at North Tonawanda High School. According
to a statement by Lieutenant Tom Krantz, "North Tonawanda police
checked the school and determined there was no credible threat before
children went back to classes,..." This statement by Lieutenant Krantz
contradicts North Tonawanda High School Principal Jim Fisher's
statement that "The school entered lockdown mode twice, ...""Fisher
sent a voice message to all parents of high school students that
explained the school was first locked down for the bomb threat,...".
"During lockdown, students stay in their classrooms until given further
directions, Fisher said." Lock down procedures are not to be used during a bomb threat occurring inside the facility.

Nevertheless,
Principal Fisher has a well-documented history of under-reporting
violent incidents to New York State Education Department and failures
to notify local law enforcement upon notification of violent incidents,
compromising the safety of students, staff, and visitors. Principal
Fisher alleges upon SWORN
Affidavit a series of "6 or 7 bomb threats" occurring the period of
October 7 through October 12, 2005, where three were reported (one of
which required no report/October 12, 2005), which leaves an alleged series of "3 or 4 bomb
threats" where no action was taken as required by law. Principal
Fisher's mal-administrative and illegal and fraudulent responses to
violent incidents remain yet un-redressed. Commissioner of Education
Mills, along with numerous state agencies and individuals, has
knowledge of these matters and has made every effort to keep all
matters closed and un-redressed.

To read TONAWANDA NEWS reporter Phil Dzikiy's article " NORTH TONAWANDA: Bomb threat at NTHS" visit http:www.tonawanda-news.com.

Update: 10 February 2008

It appears that students were in fact forced into lockdown during an alleged bomb threat at North Tonawanda High School on 11 January 2008 and a lot is being said about the handling of this bomb threat by "school officials". 

According to recent "Sound-off" publications in the Tonawanda News, callers are expressing everything from outrage to disbelief.  One caller stated that that their son attends North Tonawanda and that they were locked-down for 25 minutes and questioned why they wouldn't "get students out of the school instead of staying in there?"  Another caller couldn't believe what they read on the front page of the Tonawanda News (that there was  a bomb threat) and stating "How dare you not close that school Mr. Fisher.  I would assume that you have no children that go to the senior high.  How dare you take a chance with our kids' lives." And yet another caller questioned why the principal and superintendent still have their jobs.  Publicly asking for there resignations as they consider contacting a lawyer.

Update: 29 February 2008

The following excerpt from the Tonawanda News, Sound Off, published February 29, 2008, appears to confirm that lockdown procedures were in fact used when North Tonawanda High School Security discovered a written bomb threat indicating that a bomb could go off in the school on 11 January 2008.  It is interesting to note that this caller both commends the actions of administration and believes that investigations, resignations, firings, etc. are a waste of time.

 "I see the Sound Off lawyers are at it again concerning the North
Tonawanda High School bomb threat. Calling for class action lawsuits,
investigations, resignations and possible firings is a waste of your
time, breath and possibly your money. Lockdown was absolutely the best
response to this incident. Even the FBI would have recommended the
lockdown. The students are much safer in the building than out. I’m
glad the administration made the right call.

•••"

School districts are required to develop a District-Wide School Safety Plan.  The plan is designed to prevent or minimize the effects of serious violent incidents and emergencies.  The plan is also required to be developed pursuant to New York State Department of Education Commissioner's Regulation 155.17 and Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) Law. 

According to Emergency Management Operations Plan Quick Reference Guide for North Tonawanda City School District, which can be obtained by calling Greg Woytila, Executive Director of Educational Services, North Tonawanda City School District, at 807-3535, a Code 1 (Bomb Threat - Inside a Facility) requires in part that "6. Under the direction of an administrator..., direct the staff, pupils, and visitors to evacuate the building, keep a distance of 1000' from the building, maintain silence and wait for further instructions." 

In light of this required action, it is apparent that City of North Tonawanda School District failed to follow procedures and policy, having the potential to compromise the safety of its students, staff, and visitors, and therefore an investigation would certainly appear to be warranted.