Peoples Academy in Morrisville is facing scrutiny after a parent alleged that her child was stabbed at the high school. However, Lamoille South Supervisory Union superintendent Ryan Heraty and the Elmore-Morristown school board have refuted claims that the incident was mishandled and that the schools are unsafe. The board released an open letter addressing the allegations and stated that the incident was not intentional and that disciplinary action was taken against the student who brought the knife. The district also shared results from a student safety survey. The incident has sparked a contentious debate among parents and school officials, with calls for expulsion and better communication from the school. News & Citizen reported
Peoples Academy in Morrisville has been at the center of controversy after a parent claimed that her child was stabbed at the high school. However, Lamoille South Supervisory Union superintendent Ryan Heraty and the Elmore-Morristown school board have refuted these allegations and defended the safety of the school. In early November, parent Mindy Marshall accused school officials of mishandling the incident and lacking transparency. While Marshall acknowledged that the stabbing was not intentional, she insisted that the student responsible has a history of violence.
Following a heated school board meeting, Heraty and board chair David Bickford released an open letter addressing the community’s concerns. They argued that Marshall’s account contained misinformation and clarified that the student had only taken out the knife to show it to others when Marshall’s son accidentally got injured. The police determined that there was no malicious intent, and no criminal charges were pursued. The student faced significant disciplinary action, including a month-long suspension.
Marshall, however, claimed that the district omitted important details about previous threats made by the student against her son, including holding a knife to his throat. Heraty also shared the results of a student safety survey conducted since 2017, which indicated that the majority of students felt safe at school.
The tension between the public and school officials reached a boiling point during the school board meeting. Some parents berated school officials and made offensive remarks. One parent even suggested bringing a gun to school for protection. In response, Bickford and Heraty explained that expulsion was not considered an appropriate response and that alternative measures were implemented to support both students involved.
Marshall and other parents expressed frustration with the lack of communication about incidents involving weapons in the school. They believe that it is their right to be informed about such matters. Marshall also raised concerns about the alleged differential treatment of the student responsible for the stabbing due to one of his parents being a teacher at Peoples Academy. Heraty denied any influence on the board’s decision based on the parent’s employment.
Both Marshall and Heraty acknowledged that the school board meeting did not facilitate productive dialogue. Heraty suggested that a community forum focused on safety and disciplinary policies could be a more effective way to address concerns and involve various stakeholders.
In conclusion, the alleged stabbing incident at Peoples Academy has sparked controversy and raised questions about the school’s safety measures. School officials have defended their actions and emphasized the importance of open communication and community dialogue to address these concerns..