By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Given the numerous instances of both credible and noncredible threats to schools in this region, the region’s school districts in conjunction with several law enforcement agencies released a statement emphasizing their commitment to student safety and highlighting the dangers of sharing unverified claims.
The letter, which was shared online by Barren County Schools, is signed by BCS Superintendent Amy Irwin, GIS Superintendent Chad Muhlenkamp, CIS Superintendent Amanda Abell, Sheriff Kent Keen, GPD Chief Guy Howie, Cave City Police Chief Paul Reynolds and Horse Cave chief Heather Childress.
The joint statement is printed verbatim here:
Barren County Schools, Glasgow Independent Schools, Caverna Independent Schools, Glasgow Police Department, Cave City Police Department, Horse Cave Police Department, and Barren County Sheriff’s Department are united in our commitment to providing a safe environment for our students and school staff.
Given the recent events that have occurred in Kentucky and throughout the country, we are all concerned about the safety of our loved ones.
We live in a society with a 24-hour news cycle that often focuses on the negative. We also live in the world of social media, where users can instantly share misinformation that spreads quickly.
The combination of the two, understandably, keeps us on edge.
We want to assure you that we are continually taking steps to make our schools more secure. We truly care for our students and staff, and we want to keep them safe.
When it comes to communicating with families, school officials prioritize getting information to parents as quickly as possible, but we also want to be sure the information we are providing is accurate. In situations involving potential safety threats, it’s important to avoid sharing unverified details that could cause unnecessary panic or spread misinformation. This process may take a bit of time, but it ensures that parents receive clear, reliable updates they can trust. We understand the importance of timely communication and strive to keep parents informed.
Our parents, students, and staff are our greatest asset in keeping our schools safe. We encourage you to report any concerns you have directly to school officials, local law enforcement, or through the Stop Tipline at 866-393-6659. We take such reports seriously and fully investigate them. Please do not post these on social media.
Addressing misinformation on social media is challenging due to the rapid spread of false information and the difficulty of distinguishing between credible and non-credible sources. As parents and guardians, we need you to partner with us by monitoring your child’s social media use to ensure they aren’t exposed to harmful content or misleading narratives. Instead of sharing concerns online, which can amplify misinformation or escalate situations, it’s essential for parents and guardians to report safety issues directly to school officials or law enforcement. This approach ensures that we can handle the situation appropriately and keep rumors from spreading uncontrollably.
It is also essential for students to understand that making threats on social media can lead to serious legal consequences. Under Kentucky law, a person who threatens to commit a crime that would result in death, serious physical injury, or substantial property damage may be charged with terroristic threatening, which is a felony offense. A conviction can result in substantial fines, imprisonment, and a permanent criminal record. Even if the threat is made in jest or without intent to carry it out, law enforcement takes such actions seriously.
We understand that concerns about the safety of your children, both in and out of school, are always on the minds of parents, and it’s natural to feel worried at times. However, it’s important that we do not let fear dictate our lives or overshadow the positive experiences our children gain at school each day.
Open communication and a united effort to address safety concerns will help us protect our children and allow them to thrive.
We deeply appreciate your support in keeping our students safe and our schools secure. It is an incredible privilege to work in public education and public service, where we have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of students, and it is a blessing to live in a supportive community that cares for one another.
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