THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 1995 TAG: 9511150018
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
I found Deputy Superintendent Frank Sellew's response to the charge of lack of cooperation with the police department almost comical (``Norfolk schools defend safety record,'' news, Oct. 27).
Two years ago my oldest son was assaulted at Booker T. Washington High School. This assault was witnessed by a delivery driver from the School Board. At the time I was notified by personnel, I was told that they positively knew who the suspect was. The suspect was a student with a history of disciplinary problems. However, when I asked to be notified of the investigation, I was ignored. At no time did school officials notify the police that a criminal assault occurred on school property.
During the two weeks after this assault, I called the school four times in an attempt to determine what action was to be taken. I finally demanded to meet with the principal. I was told that the suspect had been suspended, not for the assault but because of disrespect to school officials. Only after I met with a member of the School Board was any action taken against this suspect for the assault on my son!
In June of this year my youngest son was assaulted at Poplar Halls Elementary School by another student. When I met with the principal, she expressed concern after I informed her that I had filed an offense report with the police. Although that was certainly my right, she felt that what happened at school was her responsibility to handle. This evidently did not include reporting such criminal activity to the police.
In September of this year, while attending Lake Taylor Middle School, my youngest son had money stolen from him by another student while on the school bus. The school suspended the thief and ensured that he gave my son the money back but never called the police.
These three examples my family has been involved in have done nothing to foster confidence in our school officials. As for police Chief Melvin High's denial of any problems, I will give him the benefit of the doubt that he is unaware of this policy.
Our school administrators must stop acting like the ostrich with its head buried in the sand and admit there are serious problems. Parents must insist that school officials report all criminal activities to our police.
SCOTT D. WILSON
Norfolk, Oct. 27, 1995 by CNB