Local schools react to shooting

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    Friday’s horrific shooting in Newton, Conn., in which a lone gunman entered an elementary school and killed 26 people, including 20 school children between the ages of 6-7, has had a far-reaching impact around the nation.
    Locally, school districts were still reeling from the sad news Monday and were either making arrangements to review safety plans in their respective school districts or already conducted their reviews.
    “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School students and staff who lost their lives,” said RSU 50 Superintendent Larry Malone.
    School officials at RSU 50, which comprises both Southern Aroostook Community School and Katahdin, spent a portion of Monday reviewing the district’s safety policies.
    “We have limited access to our facilities and each school has a crisis response plan in place should anything of this nature happen in our schools,” Malone said. “We also have surveillance equipment at our schools to further monitor people coming and going.”
    Malone said administrators from the two schools discussed the incident and made a conscious decision not to go into great details in the classroom with their students.
    “We decided a limited dialogue was best and any student that wants to talk about it will be encouraged to talk with counselors,” he said.
    Ironically, SAD 70 reviewed its emergency plan at its Dec. 11 school board meeting. That review took place behind closed doors in executive session, because according to Superintendent Bob McDaniel, it would be detrimental if information such as where children would go in the event of an emergency were made public.
    “It was horrific,” McDaniel said. “I couldn’t even listen to it after awhile. It’s not like it was years ago when I went to school that’s for sure.”
    The Mill Pond Elementary School locks its front door and requires visitors to press a button to gain access. An office worker, who can see who is standing at the front door on a surveillance camera, must press a button to electronically unlock the front doors.
    Hodgdon High School does not lock its front door, but does have surveillance cameras. McDaniel said the administration would examine the possibility of locking the doors at the high school.
    In RSU 29,  the following message was posted on the RSU 29 Facebook page. “Our condolences go out to the families and community of Sandy Hook School. We have all been struck by this. When it happens to children it is personal. Be assured we take the safety of your children seriously, it is our primary concern. We will review our policies and procedures for potential changes to security practices.
    “We will be using this as a learning experience for staff, students and administration. Our teachers and guidance staff will be available to any students in need.”
    Superintendent Mike Hammer said his administrative team met Tuesday morning to discuss the district’s emergency plan.
    “Each school has a crisis response plan in place,” he said.
    In the event that a school needed to be evacuated, Hammer said the Houlton Higher Education Center would be the media center for fielding inquiries from the press, while parents will be asked to go to the Gentle Memorial Building to receive directions and information on their children.
    All doors, other than the main entrances to school will be locked, Hammer said. Two schools, Houlton Elementary School and Wellington Elementary School, have doorbells in place and those front doors will now be locked. Any visitors to those two buildings will be required to ring the buzzer and a person will come to open the door.
    The district is also examining the feasibility of installing electronic door opening systems for each of its schools.
     At Greater Houlton Christian Academy, Headmaster John Bishop said his school will be reviewing its safety plan in the near future and reflected on the shootings in Connecticut in an e-mail to parents of the school.
    “The tragedy at Newtown, Conn. weighs heavily on our hearts, and I know you are praying for all those who are grieving,” he wrote. “I wanted you to know that I have contacted the state police to discuss our own safety plans, and we will be exploring further options for improving the safety of our students and staff. We will also be consulting our own local police department as well.
    “I want to make sure that we are taking every reasonable action to protect our students, but in the end, we really do have to trust the Lord to watch over this school,” he continued. “I trust you are praying every day for His watch-care over these precious children. It’s so sad we have to think about these things, but that’s the reality in a world that continues to deny its Creator and to remove every trace of His influence on our culture. Sad reminders that while we are blessed beyond measure, we take so much for granted. Treasure up the memories this Christmas season.”
    Gov. LePage issued the following statement on the tragedy and also ordered flags to be flown at half-mast throughout the state.
    “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and community affected by this horrific event this morning in Connecticut,” he wrote. “It is difficult to comprehend the loss of so many innocent lives. Ann and I will continue to pray for the families of the children and staff members who lost their lives in what should be the safest of places, their school.”