I’m sick to my stomach right now because the shooting today at Success Tech High School didn’t need to happen for two reasons.
First, student safety should have been a priority over uniforms and it was obviously not. Second, last Friday and Monday there were incidents involving guns carried by students at Max Hayes High School. Friday a gun was shot off three times outside right after school let out during an altercation between students. Monday a rifle was discovered in a student gym bag with several rounds of ammo (this was confirmed to me yesterday by Channel 19 News who reviewed the police report).
Four people have been shot at Success Tech High School at 1440 Lakeside Avenue in Cleveland.
The shooter is dead.
The victims were two men ages 57 and 42; and two boys ages 17 and 14. A 14-year-old girl hurt her knee leaving the building but was not shot.
All the children are in good condition and the two adults’ conditions were “slightly elevated,” according to Mayor Frank Jackson. The mayor and schools CEO Eugene Sanders came to the school and have been giving brief updates to the media.
Early reports were that the shooter was 14 and was in custody. Officials would not answer questions about the suspect.
After it was obvious that the School District was not communicating the details of these incidents to parents and staff I called both the Plain Dealer and Channel 19 News. I spoke directly with the Education Editor at the Plain Dealer on Monday. I also spoke with a reporter at Channel 19 news Monday and yesterday to warn them both that something was seriously wrong with how these incidents were being handled.
After Virginia Tech I couldn’t believe the Cleveland Municipal School District did not institute a communications plan or use mobile metal detectors the morning after any confiscation of guns as part of overall measures. It is my understanding that the Cleveland Heights School System at least has a communications plan in place regarding incidents that happen that threaten student and staff safety.
It is also my understanding that there have been several other guns in schools incidents since the beginning of the school year that the CMSD has essentially enacted a hush policy about. The result of this inaction is that staff and parents have not been provided with the critical information needed to allow themselves to makes decisions about the safety of themselves and their children.
Because of this inaction it is obvious that both Mayor Jackson and Eugene Sanders should be held accountable for the death and injuries that occurred today. Both the lack of communications and any plan and the resulting injuries and loss of life are the direct result of a complete lack of competent leadership. When you are a leader and you can not ensure the safety of those you are responsible for you are then responsible for communicating with them when their safety is at risk.
Multiple people shot at Cleveland high school; shooter dead - Cleveland’s Top Story from The Plain Dealer
P.S. I regret that I didn’t post here at BFD about the problems at Max Hayes Friday and Monday to at least offer a warning. I had a feeling in my gut something bad was about to happen.
P.P.S. Methinks we should redirect the .25 cents county sales tax increase toward making our schools and streets safer. That would do more for economic development than a Medical Mart (and I did a post here this past July 25th about an article that highlights how improving basic infrastructure is how successful cities grow).
