Letter to Parents, About Gun Found at New Market School (Alex Lynch, WHNT NewsChannel 19 Photojournalist / March 4, 2009)
NEW MARKET -
It's a headline we're hearing about more often, and it sends chills down the spines of parents every time: a student bringing a gun into their child's school.
That's exactly what happened on Wednesday at New Market School. The gun was found in a locker. Authorities say it was not loaded.
One parent we spoke with is concerned, saying she has an issue with how the school system notified parents -- through a letter.
Dr. Terry Davis, Madison County Schools Superintendent, tells WHNT NewsChannel 19 the gun was found on the grounds of the school between 8:00 and 9:00 Wednesday morning.
Dr. Davis says a student reported it to the principal and a school resource officer. The officer then notified the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Dr. Davis says an investigation determined a student brought the gun on to school grounds. It was found in another student's locker.
Both students, the one who allegedly brought the gun, and the other who held it in the locker, were arrested.
The school system sent a letter to parents, telling them what happened. A parent who did not want to be identified showed us the letter. She says it wasn't enough.
"The safety of all our children is our number one concern? Well, the safety of my child is my number one concern," the mother said. "I should have been informed as soon as this happened. Maybe, not as soon as it happened, but as soon as the situation was taken care of. I should have been better informed."
Dr. Terry Davis says no child was ever in harm's way, adding that in this case, the procedure for notifying students and parents worked.
He told WHNT NewsChannel 19 he feels it was best to handle the situation in-house with the students first, and then the parents.
Dr. Davis is considering disciplinary action for the students once he hears more from the Madison County Sheriff's Department on the investigation.
That's exactly what happened on Wednesday at New Market School. The gun was found in a locker. Authorities say it was not loaded.
One parent we spoke with is concerned, saying she has an issue with how the school system notified parents -- through a letter.
Dr. Terry Davis, Madison County Schools Superintendent, tells WHNT NewsChannel 19 the gun was found on the grounds of the school between 8:00 and 9:00 Wednesday morning.
Dr. Davis says a student reported it to the principal and a school resource officer. The officer then notified the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Dr. Davis says an investigation determined a student brought the gun on to school grounds. It was found in another student's locker.
Both students, the one who allegedly brought the gun, and the other who held it in the locker, were arrested.
The school system sent a letter to parents, telling them what happened. A parent who did not want to be identified showed us the letter. She says it wasn't enough.
"The safety of all our children is our number one concern? Well, the safety of my child is my number one concern," the mother said. "I should have been informed as soon as this happened. Maybe, not as soon as it happened, but as soon as the situation was taken care of. I should have been better informed."
Dr. Terry Davis says no child was ever in harm's way, adding that in this case, the procedure for notifying students and parents worked.
He told WHNT NewsChannel 19 he feels it was best to handle the situation in-house with the students first, and then the parents.
Dr. Davis is considering disciplinary action for the students once he hears more from the Madison County Sheriff's Department on the investigation.
