PHOTO: Pagosa Springs Middle School, April 2023. Photo by Jeff Laydon, Pagosa Photography.
The final comments from the Archuleta School District staff and from local law enforcement, at the April 10 community meeting at the Pagosa Springs High School Auditorium, came from Pagosa Springs Police Chief William Rockensock, who concluded his remarks, concerning the School District handling of recent threats made by students, like this:
“School safety for our children — for your children — belongs to all of us. And that means, you have to speak to your students; you have to speak to your children. Help them understand, that we need information. But we need good information.
“If you aren’t speaking to your children about posting on social media, and how that can be a detriment to what we do, then I implore you to do so.
“Because we cannot do this alone. It is impossible. I can make the best ethical plans, the best critical response plans, and all of it can go out the window unless we have your support. I’m sure many of you have lots of questions. We’d love to hear them. Sometimes I can answer them. Sometimes I cannot…”
Specifically, law enforcement and school administration cannot release the names of juveniles charged with making threats in school. And sometimes the supposed threats are “not real”, as the Chief reminded us.
“So, unfortunately, you have to trust us sometimes. And that’s what I ask…”
Superintendent Rick Holt repeated that plea.
“We’re asking for trust. And that is a big ask. And part of tonight is to get some transparency and clarity, so we can have more of that trust…” He also noted that the District has “opportunities to get better, and to be held accountable for things you might have questions about…”
Superintendent Holt then invited the audience in the High School Auditorium to step up to the podium and ask questions, or make suggestions, with the caveat that no student names should be mentioned. “No student names, at all.”
Bill Hubbard asked if the School Board “is willing to commit to securing our schools, so that nobody can get in who’s not supposed to be there?” School Board President Bob Lynch responded that the District is “100% committed” to securing the buildings, but also suggested that an independent audit of the safety measures might be in order.
Joanna Osborn questioned the uncontrolled proliferation of backpacks in the schools, and wondered if the District would consider prohibiting them. High School Principal Sean O’Donnell responded that it “might be a good idea for us to have that discussion.”
MacKenzie Miller wondered if a student making a threat gets expelled, and if they are allowed to come back. Superintendent Holt described a rather complicated process of discovering threats, determining is a threat is real, and who may have made the threat, getting parents involved in an investigation, and determining if the individual has access to weapons. “Sometimes, expulsion is the result of some of those actions, and sometimes it isn’t.” Ms. Miller also wondered if law enforcement would “show up, if there were an issue?” Chief Rockensock replied, “Absolutely… anyone we have, is going to be coming…” including, he said, “anybody who is a wildlife officer.”
Parent Elizabeth Mieritz noted that she had not heard any official communications about an alleged threat incident on March 28, and she wondered how many incidents are never communicated to families, by the School District. Middle School Pricipal Chris Hinger explained that nearly all the ‘threats’ in school are relatively minor in nature, are personal confrontations between students, and do not involve firearms. Those threats are not typically communicated to families, he said.
Parent Heather Simpson sympathized with school personnel, especially at the Middle School, who are dealing with adolescents who just came through the COVID crisis. “I know, and hear, that the Middle School is going through a rough time, right now.” She said she knew that the school are doing lock-down drills, but wanted to know, more specifically, what happens in those drills. Principal Hinger explained, in some detail, the lock-down drills conducted as if “there were an immanent threat inside the building”. He also explained the process of communicating with parents in the event of an actual shooter incident.
Brian Looper wondered if law enforcement is truly dedicated to providing on-site school resource officers, even while the departments are struggling to recruit employees. He mentioned the mill levy override — the additional property taxes — approved by the voters to provide those protections. Sheriff Mike Le Roux admitted that his department has been short-edstaff, and noted that he currently has “six patrol deputies covering 1,356 square miles, 24/7”, but also indicated that a new contract with the School District will allow ‘non-POST-certified’ personnel to serve as school resource officers.
He didn’t explain exactly what a non-POST-certified officer might be. An ‘officer’ who carries a gun, perhaps, but is not properly trained how and when to use it?
Did I misunderstand what the Sheriff was telling us?