Feel free to add your own spin, we ask that. you keep the "what we want" 12-item list the same.
Thank you. Here are emails for our local Oxford Township leaders. Email them, call them, send letters. Apply the pressure locally.
I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out as a concerned parent whose child attends Oxford School High School. On November 30, 2021, our community experienced a tragic event that has left a lasting impact.
Regrettably, on that fateful day, four lives were lost, including Tate Myre (16), Hana St. Juliana (14), Madisyn Baldwin (17), and Justin Schilling (17). Additionally, several individuals, including students Keegan Gregory (15), Phoebe Arthur (14), John Asciutto (17), Riley Franz (17), Elijah Mueller (14), Kylie Ossege (17), Aiden Watson (15), and teacher Molly Darnell, suffered physical injuries.
The incident has deeply affected over 1600 students and staff, causing widespread terror and trauma throughout the school community. My daughter, Caroline, who was 15 at the time, is among those grappling with the emotional aftermath.
We are committed to providing comprehensive support to those affected, and our efforts extend to various avenues. Parent groups have been actively established, concentrating on advocacy, accountability, and fostering community collaboration. In addition to voicing our concerns at Board meetings, we have engaged with experts, conducted in-depth research on policies, and delved into the best practices of threat assessment, among other initiatives.
Despite our concerted efforts, the gravity of the situation persists, and we acknowledge that more needs to be done. We remain dedicated to pursuing every available avenue to ensure the well-being and safety of our school community.
It is deeply concerning to witness the profound impact that the recent tragedy has had on our children. Beyond the immediate challenges of grades, attendance, and focus, the emotional toll is evident through nightmares, PTSD, and trauma. The long-term consequences of such experiences are particularly alarming, given that brain development is not fully formed until the age of 25.
The information from the American Psychological Association (APA) emphasizes the serious implications of childhood trauma, linking it to various health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, anxiety, and depression. This underscores the urgency of addressing not only the immediate educational struggles but also the broader mental and physical well-being of our students.
As a community, we must prioritize comprehensive support systems to help mitigate the long-term effects of this traumatic event on our children's health and development. The provided link from the APA serves as a valuable resource in understanding and addressing these complex challenges.
It is truly disheartening to discover that the trust placed in the school to prioritize the well-being of our children was not upheld in the wake of this tragedy. Experiencing the overwhelming emotions while feeling dismissed and abandoned by the school board, administration, a significant portion of the community, and the State of Michigan is undoubtedly a devastating situation.
This community stands in solidarity with the grieving families of Tate, Hana, Madisyn, and Justin. Many of us continue to advocate publicly for justice and accountability, not only for the lives lost but also for the physical and emotional well-being of all those affected by this avoidable act of violence— including the 8 others physically injured and the entire school community of 1600 students and staff who endured terror and trauma.
It is clear that accountability must extend beyond the individual responsible for the shooting and include the parents of the shooter. Equally important is holding the Oxford School District accountable for their role in this tragic incident. Acknowledging and addressing these three parties' responsibilities is crucial for justice, healing, and preventing such events in the future.
It is deeply distressing to learn that, according to the Guidepost report commissioned by the school board, individuals at every level of the Oxford School District failed to provide a safe and secure environment for the students. The report's findings highlight significant shortcomings, pointing to failures from the Board to the Superintendent and his cabinet, down to the Oxford High School administration and staff.
The report explicitly states that individuals at various levels in the District were responsible for ensuring the safety and security of Madisyn, Tate, Justin, Hana, and all the other Oxford High School survivors and students. However, they failed in this crucial duty on November 30, 2021. While the shooter is ultimately responsible for the acts of murder and assault, and the parents face trial for alleged gross negligence, the District had a duty to prevent such a tragedy and, as per the report, failed in its responsibility.
The revelation that proper threat assessment guidelines could have made a difference is particularly distressing. It underscores the importance of implementing and adhering to comprehensive threat assessment policies to prevent avoidable tragedies. The lack of accountability for those who failed in their responsibilities is a matter of grave concern for the entire community, further emphasizing the urgent need for justice and reforms within the school district.
I am reaching out to express the urgent need for support and assistance in the wake of this tragedy. Our community is in mourning, and the well-being of our students and staff is of utmost importance.
Immunity should not serve as a shield for acts of gross negligence and wanton indifference. The tragic events of November 30, 2021, involve specific district employees and board members who played direct roles in the unfolding tragedy.
- Tim Throne: Served as Superintendent on and before 11/30/21, retiring and rumored to be consulting for SEC.
- Ken Weaver: Deputy Superintendent on 11/30/21, later became Superintendent before resigning, now the AD at Bay City Central High School.
- Steve Wolf: OHS principal on 11/30/21, irresponsibly promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Instruction by Ken Weaver.
- Shawn Hopkins: Counselor on 11/30, later moved to HIGH RISK children at Bridges, now rumored to be on a self-requested leave of absence.
- Kimberly Potts: Armed "lunch monitor" on 11/30/21, contract conveniently "not renewed."
- Nick Ejak: Dean of students on 11/30, resigned, current employment unknown.
- Pam Fine: Restorative Practice Coordinator on 11/30, still employed as Family Liaison.
- Jill Lemond: Assistant Superintendent of Safety and Student Services on 11/30, resigned in September 2022, now employed by Evolve as a Director of Education.
- Jason Louwaert: SRO on 11/30/21, now employed by Secured Environment Consultants (SEC).
- 11/30 School Board: Tom Donnelly (Resigned), Korey Bailey (Resigned), Heather Shafer, Erik Foster (Term ended), Chad Griffith (Term Ended), Dan D’Alessandro (Resigned), Mary Hanser.
- Current School Board members include Heather Shafer and Mary Hanser. Calls for their resignation due to their failure to ensure student safety have been ongoing. Heather serves as President, and Mary is Treasurer, also sitting on the POLICY committee, further adding insult to injury. The remaining board members' commitment remains in question, as their complacency reinforces the lack of trust within the district.
Repeated attempts by concerned parents to seek assistance from the Governor, Attorney General, and Oakland County Schools have redirected them to the local school board. Unfortunately, the reality is that the board, led by the Insurance attorney, appears to be a facade, leaving unresolved issues of accountability and transparency within the district.
The violations of several bylaws by Oxford Community Schools, as detailed in the report, underscore a significant failure on the part of the Board and District Administration. Their inability to adhere to established policies has resulted in a breach of their duties to the community, particularly concerning the School Shooting and the ongoing safety of our children. The gravity of these violations highlights the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and comprehensive reforms within the school district to ensure the well-being and safety of all students.
Bylaws, Authority, Code po0121, the supervision of this district shall be considered by the board of education, hereinafter referred to as “the board”, which is constituted and is governed by the laws of the State of Michigan.
Bylaws, Board Powers, Code Po0122 includes “B. Providing for the safety and welfare of students while at school or at school- sponsored activity or while enroute to or from school or a school-sponsored activity.”
Bylaws, Philosophy of the board, Po0123 includes “ A. Act as a truly representative body for citizens in all matters related to programs and operations. The Board recognizes that ultimate responsibility for public education rests with the State, but the Board of Education has been assigned specific authority through statute, and the Board shall not relinquish or fail to exercise that authority.”
Bylaws, Administrative Guidelines, Po0132.2 states. “The Board shall delegate to the Superintendent the function of specifying required actions and designing the detailed arrangements under which the school will be operated. These detailed arrangements shall constitute the administrative guidelines governing the schools which are not inconsistent with statutes or regulations of the State Board or the policies of this Board.
Such administrative guidelines shall be binding on the employees and the students of this District when issued.”
What we are asking. :
initiate a State Probe into the Oxford School Shooting. Partner with Guidepost to build upon what was initially delivered in the report and close ALL gaps including Police, EMT dispatch and response to ensure a comprehensive and complete State investigation of the shooting. Require ALL State, district employees and board members to cooperate as a condition of employment.
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