UPDATED PETITION:

 

October 9, 2024

 

TO:

NYS Governor Kathy Hochul

US Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirstin Gillibrand

US Congressman Paul Tonko

NY State Senator Neil D. Breslin

NY State Senate Speaker Carl B. Heastie

NY State Assembly Chair of Education Michael Benedetto

NY State Assembly Member Patricia Fahey

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy 

NYS Police Superintendent Steven G. James

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple 

Albany County District Attorney David Soares

 

RE:      Threats of Violence in Our Schools

To the Guardians of the Safety of the Students of New York:

As partners in the safety and education of our children, we have the right to be fully informed when violent threats are made against our school community. These threats are serious to our students' physical safety, mental health and general well-being. We demand zero tolerance.  

FACTS (as we are allowed to know them):

February 2024 – a student attending Farnsworth Middle School in the Guilderland Central School District is arrested for making a threat of mass harm by preparing a “KILL LIST” naming at least 20 students. The families of those victims were provided with limited information and told the perpetrator would NOT return to school. No offer of counseling has been provided at any time to the victims or their families. Only one victim or their family was given an opportunity to speak with any school authority or was interviewed by any police agency regarding the prosecution or punishment of the perpetrator at school or criminally – and that was at their express request. No other victim was even contacted. It is as if they are not considered victims. It is as if the only student that matters, is the perpetrator. No regard for the mental health of the victims was considered. 

September 2024 – the victims attend peer-guided orientation at the high school and are shocked to find their perpetrator in attendance. Parents reach out for information regarding safety, security, and NOTICE. They are told that the school is safe, that there is a plan, and that the school was not “REQUIRED” to inform them. The District made a conscious decision to omit this critical information, blindsiding these victims at freshman orientation – a day that should be exciting and fun.  

At a school board meeting (9/10/24 - 03 Board of Education Meeting, September 10, 2024 (youtube.com), the Board refused to address any questions or concerns of the parents and students in attendance. They informed the attendees that public comments would be heard but no conversation would be engaged in, per their longstanding policy. If that is the case, then the questions should always be addressed one by one in either a letter or at the following meeting. Following the board meeting, Dr. Wiles sent an online message to GCSD families stating that the District understands that parents and guardians trust them immensely. “It’s because of this trust that we prioritize the safety and security of students and staff.” However, she failed to address the specific questions asked, claiming further information violated the perpetrator’s privacy. We believe the District leaders must do better. Dr. Wiles and the Board also met with representatives of the New York State Education Department. After that meeting, the NYSED issued the following statement: “The Department supports [Guilderland’s] efforts to welcome a student who has been suspended back into the school community.” We believe the New York State Education Board of must do better.

RUMORS (in the absence of factual information): 

There was a school hearing following the threat. The perpetrator appealed, won and was returned to school. It is also rumored that the victims could have appealed that final decision within 30 days of the final decision date.  How could a victim file an appeal if they are not allowed to know that there was a hearing, what the decision of that hearing was, or the date that it was made?  At the very least this information must be provided to victims. Victims should have a voice in school and criminal hearings.

This specific instance (along with many others in neighboring school districts this month alone) has brought to light glaring communication omissions and lack of serious consequences for these violent threats. This is not acceptable. The District and the State Board of Education have claimed that the privacy of the perpetrator has severely limited the public’s access to information regarding this specific perpetrator and incident. This gives perpetrators the ability to shut down entire school districts with their threats.

If the District(s) and/or State is bound by current laws as they claim, these laws no longer truly protect our students. The current state of these policies and laws is not acceptable. With the lives of our children at stake, we must do better. 

Legislation needs to be enacted to:

Ensure ALL district community members are fully informed when any threat or act of mass violence occurs.
All victims should be provided counseling at no charge to their families.
The perpetrator should lose their right to attend that school. No one should have to attend school with their perpetrator.
 
Our children have the right to be safe and secure at school. We deserve transparency. We will not stop advocating for our students.

We are requesting a task force of parents, school district officials, and public stakeholders be formed to work together to make positive change for our students and school community. We await your reply and truly hope we can work together to ensure that not only our students are safe and secure but that they feel that way as well.

 

Sincerely,

GCSD Families for School Safety

gcsdfamiliesforschoolsafely@gmail.com

 

 

CC:

Dr. Marie Wiles, Superintendent, Guilderland Central School District

Guilderland Central School District School Board Members:

Blanca Gonzalez-Parker, President

Kelly Person, Vice President

Kim Blasiak

Rebecca Butterfield

Katie DiPierro

Nina Kaplan

Tara Molloy-Grocki  

Gloria Towle-Hilt

Meredith Brière

 

New York State Board of Education: 

Dr. Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner of Education 

NYS Board of Regents Members:

Lester W. Young, Jr., Chancellor, Member at Large

Judith Chin, Vice Chancellor

Roger Tilles, Member

Christine D. Cea, Member

Wade S. Norwood, Member

James E. Cottrell, Member

Catherine Collins, Member

Luis O. Reyes, Member

Susan W. Mittler, Member

Frances G. Wills, Member

Aramina Vega Ferrer, Member

Shino Tanikawa, Member

Roger P. Catania, Member

Adrian I. Hale, Member

Hasoni L. Pratts, Member

Patrick A. Mannion, Member

Seema Rivera, Member

 

 

ORIGINAL PETITION:

I’m initiating this petition regarding a safety concern that I have which pertains to Guilderland Central School District.  Specifically Guilderland High School.

My name is DeAnna Cornelius, I am a parent of 2 children that attend Guilderland Central Schools, my son is going to be an incoming 9th grader at Guilderland High School. Earlier this year on Thursday February 1st we received a phone call from Michael Laster, principal of Farnsworth Middle School, notifying us of a “kill list” that a fellow 8th student had made which listed approximately 20 students on it and one teacher.  The child of concern was removed from the school arrested.  The district was notified of the circumstances, the local police department issued a notice of the arrest.  The child was not to return, it was what we were advised of.  Most recently, on August 27th my son attended a student guided tour at the high school for incoming freshman, he notified me that while he was attending the tour, that the child of concern who made the “kill list” was in attendance.  Prior to that date we had received no updates regarding any possibility or return whatsoever.  I have outreached and spoken to the high school principal, the district superintendent, as well as our local police department, who have all confirmed that this child is returning to school this year in our district.  All have been very empathetic and understanding however due to privacy, incredibly limited on the details that they were able to provide. None could advise of any details pertaining to a safety plan on the return of said child.  I’ve requested this not only for reassurance regarding the safety and well being of my child, but for other fellow classmates as well as staff members. I have outreached to and spoken with my local assemblymen’s office, our governors office as well as New York State department of student services.  I’ve been told this remains at a district level.  I’ve outreached to and informed our districts board of directors, only to be ignored. I’ve outreached to the media as well. 

I am initiating this petition and asking you to please take the time to read, and help my voice be heard by supporting and signing, in hopes of obtaining some assistance. The school seems to have their hands tied. I understand that the child of concern is entitled to a public education , I am by no means indicating that the should not have that opportunity, and I truly hope they have received and continue to receive any help or assistance they may need.  However,  I feel as not only a concerned parent, but as a member of this community that allowing this child, who had taken the time to think of, construct, and write out a “kill list” and title it “kill list” with multiple names on it, shows pre meditated intent to cause serious harm, and I do not believe or feel as though allowing them back into the same district setting with his former peers, many of whom are still very shaken by this, is right or appropriate.  Even so. If that is the case, the parents and community members should be informed on what the safety measures are that will be in place to continue to keep everyone as safe as possible.  

The district is apparently keeping their lips sealed and it certainly feels like they are doing this to sweep an issue under the rug.  We deserve to be in the know.  What measures are being taken? There has to be an obvious plan in place or I would hope one is in place, and that extra reassurance would be valuable to us and our children.  These children are still growing and learning, it is up to us as parents, administrators, and community members to provide them with an environment that is not only filled with education and resources, but is most importantly safe. Our children should be able to feel safe, and feel as though they are protected and surrounded by individuals that are trustworthy, and by not providing us with information on how they will be safe, does not prove that they will be protected and also opens up an opportunity for many of them to feel triggered and have a trauma response over the sudden return of this adolescent. 

I’ve been told “if you see something, say something”.. which I’ve done multiple times, over the course of the past 72 hours, and while I’ve been told that my concerns have valid, no one is able to do anything about this, which is absolutely terrifying.  Something needs to be done, if there is a secure plan in place we as parents and community members, should be fully informed, and kept in the loop.

Please help me act now and partner with me  by signing this petition for full disclosure on the safety plan not only for my children but for all parties impacted,  students, staff, administrators etc.  

safety is key, we deserve to know what the plan is to help ensure everyone is protected.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration