Carroll Officials Address High School Rumors

This one's tough folks . . . because it's more about rumor control and fear of the unknown than actual school safety, but it goes to show you just how much communication has changed and how quickly comments can be taken out of context and passed on to the next teenager using advanced technology.

We've been dealing with some ongoing rumors about school safety at Carroll High School for about a week. This issue has not involved an actual threat against the campus or any student but was actually a side conversation by several CHS students about what if? scenarios. Yes, students were actually sitting in a classroom talking about what could happen and what did happen more than a decade ago at Columbine High School. But kids are just that. . .kids and they let their conversation veer off their original what if? scenario by supposing which students they thought might take part in such a "made up" scenario. Someone else overhead and as you can imagine, an investigation began. And just when you think you have things taken care of and under control, school ends for the day and the students have free time on their hands. Unfortunately, the situation grew rapidly because of social networking, texting and the rumor mill.

Our campus and central administrators have been involved in working through this issue, as well as our resource officers and local law enforcement. We've been investigating this matter, talking with parents of CHS students and clarifying that we have received nothing at this point to give this rumor credibility. Last week we sent out a message to our CHS parents notifying them that all of this was based on rumor, not fact.

Still, this is a serious matter and we must all be diligent and responsible for our part in creating safer schools. We walk a fine line as an administration in generating so much discussion that it causes fear students and parents. We balance the facts against the rumors in determining who to notify and when. It appears, however, after a week of working on the issue that other secondary students have now heard the rumor. So, in the spirit of open and honest communication - one of Carroll ISD's core values - we sent an email notification to secondary parents and posted a statement on our Dragon SafetyZone website. You can read that statement below or on the SafetyZone web page at http://www.southlakecarroll.edu/safetyzone.aspx


Below is the actual announcement made at Carroll High School today. If you are having any questions about this topic, we hope that you will deal in the facts as they are laid out in the message to CHS students. We are increasing adult visibility in our hallways and commons areas just to reassure our students. Our faculty and support staff are committed to providing an atmosphere of excellence for CISD. The safety and security of your children remain our top priorities. Still, this situation serves as a reminder to us that we all play a very important role in teaching our students about the power and dangers of social networking, texting and the rumor mill. And we have to let our kids know that they, too, are responsible for helping to keep their schools safe.

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Carroll High School - April 19, 2010

Classroom Announcement read by CHS teacher following a general PA:

A lot of rumors are circulating among students and parents about a threat against our school. The rumors started after several students were talking about what if scenarios and then began to name specific students as part of their made up scenario. The administration is aware of this and has been working with local law enforcement and parents on this matter. Since last Tuesday, we have been checking and double checking our information, taking phone calls, monitoring internet sites and interviewing students that have been identified in these rumors. Please hear us say. . .we have found NO credible information that there was ever a threat against this school. This was a rumor that started and has continued to gain momentum because some of you have chosen to use Facebook, texting and cell phones to discuss this serious matter. We need your help to stop the rumors.

We have absolutely no facts or information to support the rumors that are going around. Some students are growing alarmed because everyone is talking about it and making the situation worse. We know that some of you may be genuinely scared but we want you to think carefully about the facts and not base your fear on misinformation. As adults and teenagers, we all have a responsibility to help make our school safe. Joking about or making false accusations about threats in school or other students will not be tolerated.

As we announced last week, we welcome students, parents or staff who have concerns to discuss them with the administration. But generally, we are asking you to be responsible and show strong character by stopping the rumors and calling a halt to all comments and discussion that could falsely accuse or scare students. School safety is a serious matter and local law enforcement is involved. We want to thank you for being responsible and helping us put a stop to the rumors.