Feb 25, 2018 3 min read

David McDonald, the interim superintendent for Connellsville Area School District, deserves to be commended.

The lengthy message he issued to parents in the form of a pre-recorded call Tuesday was an incredible example of what should happen when schools face threats.

His nearly 2 ½-minute message notified parents that a threat had been written in one of the girls’ bathrooms at the high school (the second threat the district dealt with in a five-day span), that authorities investigated and that the child responsible had been charged. He said she thought writing the threat was funny.

Then, McDonald did something quite remarkable, issuing a frank and heartfelt call to action for parents.

“As parents and guardians of students in our district, let me be clear: we need your help,” he said. “This is not a time for jokes or social media sensationalism. … School and student safety needs to be a community and district effort.”

He urged parents to discuss safety and conduct with their children, and he said that the community as a whole must be involved in keeping children safe.

The district followed up McDonald’s message later in the week with a visit to its high and middle schools from the county district attorney and police.

They put students on notice that bogus threats would be swiftly investigated, and that those making them would be prosecuted.

McDonald’s incredible transparency with parents isn’t likely to overcome the angst they now feel when they send their children off to school. Very little does that these days. However, knowing that the head of the district is so open with parents, keeping them quickly abreast of what’s happening in as much detail as he can, may perhaps ease some of their stress.

Being up front about what’s going on, even when it’s negative, fosters an environment that shows parents that the district recognizes there is a problem and is taking steps to address it.

Principals at the high and middle schools in Ringgold School District in Washington County were similarly candid in letters on their respective schools’ pages.

Both detailed what happened at the schools last week, telling parents when threats were reported and in what manner they were resolved. Principals Jason Minniti and James Klugh also reminded parents that they play a role in interacting with children, easing their anxiety over what they hear happens in schools, and reminding them to come forward with safety concerns.

As districts across the region begin talks of arming guards, or increase the number of armed guards that they have, frank communication becomes that much more important. Parents should know what measures are being taken to protect students, so that they can talk to their children about what to expect.

We hope that other district heads strive to be as forthcoming with information as McDonald, Minniti and Klugh have been.

While open, detailed disclosure might not solve the problem, it can certainly help to put the fear that parents and students most have into perspective.