Letter from Superintendent Jeffrey M. Young

 

 

 

May 23, 2002

 

Dear Faculty, Staff, Parents and Guardians,

 

Late yesterday afternoon, Newton Police Chief Jose Cordero called me with the news that the Brookline Police Department had identified the three men who were seen in the Brookline schools and determined that they were there on legitimate business.  By now, you have probably heard the same report in the local media.  I want to take this opportunity to make a few observations about this entire episode.

 

Perhaps it was because of the recent comments coming out of Washington, D.C. about continued threats of terrorism, or maybe it was Vice President Cheney issuing warnings in Boston this week, or it could just be a sign of the times—in any case, the environment around safety and security issues is electric these days.  After receiving information regarding the Brookline incident from the Newton Police Department late Monday afternoon, I consulted several times during the evening with Chief Cordero and Lt. Anastasia to determine how best to proceed.  On their advice, I decided to reinforce our “One-Door-Open” policy (which went into effect after September 11) and to inform all staff and parents of our concerns.  Chief Cordero determined that extra patrols around school grounds would be the appropriate security step to take. 

 

Today, upon reflection I still believe this was the best response.  When it comes to matters of safety, I am going to err on the side of caution and, as a general rule, give people more information rather than less.  However, in my desire to act quickly, I missed some important details.  I wish in my opening paragraph, before quoting the police report, I had commented about the diversity of our community and how we must be sure not to make assumptions about people based simply on the way they look.  I wish I had reminded the staff to staple the letter, or place it in an envelope, before handing it to the children to take home.  Hindsight is always the best sight, and I am sure we will all learn from this incident.

 

The existing policy and practice regarding open doors to the buildings will remain in effect for the rest of the school year.  I am asking all members of our school community to participate in keeping our schools safe by being aware and alert.  The police patrols will be scaled back next week.  So many questions and issues regarding security and safety have been raised by this week’s events that I will ask the School Committee to adopt a formal citywide goal next year to create policies and practices to ensure the safest possible environment in our schools.  Funding from the successful override will be dedicated to this purpose.  Staff, parents and students will be afforded opportunities to weigh in with their thoughts on these matters.

 

Finally, thank you for the many e-mails and phone calls this week.  Quite a few of you had excellent ideas that we will explore in coming days and months.  Feel free to continue to pass your thoughts along to your school principal and to my office.  Thank you for your ongoing support of the schools.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Jeffrey M. Young

Superintendent of Schools