Crandon School Board meeting. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
CRANDON, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – Parents and community members gave impassioned testimony Friday, with an emergency school board meeting in Crandon. There have been multiple lockdowns in recent weeks.
“It’s been a rough week for parents, for youth, for administration, for staff,” school board president Michelle Gobert said.
The lockdowns were caused by a faulty alert system. Many parents saying it was traumatizing for their children to go through. “I was able to talk to my oldest son, twelve years old, and ask him, ‘How did you feel?’ ‘Well, I was scared, dad.’ ‘What were you scared about?’ ‘My brother and sister. They might get hurt,'” said Franz Gerber of Crandon.
The district has ordered replacement technology that hopes to fix those concerns, with administration admitting their previous system wouldn’t automatically alert proper authorities. “There are some areas, particularly outside our building, that level 3 lockdown couldn’t really be heard,” superintendent Larry Palubicki added.
Allegations of unruly student behavior heightening concerns for staff, with students reportedly swearing at teachers being one reason some teachers have openly considered leaving the district, among other problems addressed.
Parents ultimately demanded change to policy immediately. “We hear that some staff aren’t happy, and we understand that, and we will do what we can in our power,” Palubicki said.
School board members were not able to address every concern at the meeting. They will meet again May 9. There will also be a “School Board Organizational Meeting” Monday.
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