"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
These words were uttered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1933 inauguration speech. Eighty eight years later, parents and families of Roundup schools feared for their children's safety and the unknown, with questions spreading like a prairie fire inciting fear. In a recent social media post, the Roundup School District wrote they "were working together to resolve a situation", along with the Musselshell County Sheriff's Department, and wrote that a "former student" had been on campus the day before, but not on the schools campus Tuesday. The District further wrote "there is not a credible threat to campus". The vagueness of the post, along with innumerable reports contradicting the happenings left parents wondering what was really occuring and if they should be concerned. In various social media posts students reported their first hand accounts and also questioned the validity of safety. Sheriff Shawn Lesnik posted on the Departments social media site, castigating the concerned parents and public, and created more confusion when he wrote "I do not believe a credible threat exists or ever existed", however later wrote "appropriate citations were issued", leading many in the community wondering what was being hidden.
The issue at hand isn't necessarily the incident or threat, which may or may not ever be truly known to the facts as all suspects and citizens have rights, but the lack of parental notification and this Districts continued blatant disrespect and disregard of communication. In reading the posts, it appears multiple people had heard rumblings of a possible incident, but the district did nothing to notify parents until 4pm on Tuesday, appearing to be propelled by concerned parents. By their own admission, the incident started on Monday when the former student "was on campus at the end of the school day", but neglected to notify parents of any possible happenings.
As parents and citizens and taxpayers we expect our children to be safe when under the watchful eyes of the education system. We further expect the schools and educators, along with the law enforcement communities to keep us posted on whats happening and if any potential threats exist in our communities. By appearing to hide and minimize and chastise those who need to know, this District and Department have eroded public relations and trust. As multiple students wrote, they were in fear of the unknown and received little to no comfort from the District, as they wondered what was happening behind locked classroom doors. Parents questioned the validity of the situation when students came home and told of the days activities. The community also questioned when multiple law enforcement vehicles appeared at the Roundup High School on Wednesday. I would urge everyone who feels betrayed by this incident and the lack of communication to write the school board and their county commissioners, or show up at the meetings to hopefully never have to wonder again if their children are truly safe.
Gary Van Dyke
Roundup MT
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