Aiming to squash rumors about the Dec. 8 incident in which a Lawrence High School student brought a loaded handgun to school, school district officials have reached out to parents to outline the steps that are being taken to protect students and staff.
In a Dec. 14 letter to the school community, Superintendent of Schools Ross Kasun shared the district’s response to the incident – from meeting with Lawrence Township Police Department to providing counseling for students.
School district officials met with the Lawrence Township Police Department to review the incident and the implementation of the district’s emergency management plans, Kasun said.
Conversations have been held with Lawrence High School faculty and staff, as well as with students and parents, Kasun said. The feedback has helped school district officials to assess how the incident impacted them.
“(The conversations) have allowed us to reflect on our existing procedures,” he said.
Kasun urged students to speak to counselors, who are available to talk to them about it and to provide support for them. Faculty and staff also have been provided with resources and protocols so they may be able to respond to students’ questions and concerns, he said.
Meanwhile, the Lawrence Township Police Department and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident, which resulted in the student being charged with weapons offenses. No one was injured.
“(Because it is under investigation), we are not able to comment about the specific events that took place. That said, many untrue stories are currently circulating, and those rumors are causing some to question the safety of our students and staff,” Kasun said.
The rumors are not helpful as school district officials attempt to move the school community forward, he said. If there were any remaining concerns about the safety of students and staff in connection with the incident, officials would take immediate action to address them, he said.
“The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We will do whatever is necessary to provide a safe and secure learning environment for all of our students,” Kasun said.