East Heights Elementary School parents are upset about recent events connected to the school that weren’t reported to them.
Much of the uproar has come in recent days after Henderson County Schools named current East Heights Principal Erika Odom director of human resources for the school district.
Comments from parents on social media said that they were not given notification of either incident, and many blamed Odom for the way the incidents were handled.
In the most recent incident, Henderson County Sheriff Chip Stauffer said the student resource officer, who is a sheriff’s deputy, at Central Academy wrote a report about the March 17 incident involving a butterfly knife.
According to the report, students on an afternoon bus that had left from East Heights Elementary School said another student had a butterfly knife, Stauffer said.
They told the bus driver who then contacted the school system’s bus garage, and officials there told the driver to stop at Central Academy, which was nearby the bus’ current location and where an SRO could help, he said.
The SRO investigated when the bus arrived.
“(The student) did in fact have a butterfly type knife in his backpack,” Stauffer said.
The 11-year-old was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon on school property, a class D felony, Stauffer said.
In an incident in early March, a student at East Heights brought a BB gun to school, said Henderson Police Department Sgt. Bill Russell.
Henderson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bob Lawson did not respond to a request for an interview with the Hendersonian. He sent a statement of his that was sent to East Heights families last week.
“I want to provide you with clarity regarding speculation about school safety at East Heights Elementary School. These events were handled weeks ago. The intent of this message is for clarification purposes only.
On March 4th, a message was sent to East Heights families after we received a report of an alleged weapon on school grounds. School administrators immediately followed safety protocols and contacted the Henderson Police Department to investigate the matter. There was no ongoing threat to students or staff.
On March 17th, a separate situation occurred at East Heights that did not involve a firearm. A nonsharp/no edge butterfly practice knife was found in a student’s possession on a school bus. At no time was there a threat to students or staff. Immediate and appropriate disciplinary action was taken.
We strive to provide transparency and understand that delays or unclear communication can cause confusion and concern. We encourage you to report any suspected threats to school administration, our School Resource Officers or by using the Stop Tip line on our district website.
Student and staff safety remains one of our top priorities.”
Parents on social media said they would voice concerns at the next HCS School Board meeting. It is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the HCS Professional Development Center, 631 N. Green St.
