In response MSF's report about a troubled child returning to Maple Ave. Middle School in Saratoga Springs, Principal Singer sends scathing email to staff & follows up with closed door meeting.
A whistleblower working in the Saratoga Springs Central School districted informed Moving Saratoga Forward that a troubled student, who had been disciplined over a school violence issue whereby he referenced using a gun in school, was being allowed to return to Maple Ave Middle.
Moving Saratoga Forward has confirmed the story that the Administration at Maple Ave Middle School overruled the expert opinion of its School Resource Officer.
Moreover, Singer claims, without evidence, that this source disclosed "information about a particular student" to an outside source.
But this claim is false, our source never told MSF the name of the student, and only informed us about the event in general.
Closed Door Meeting
According to our source, Principal Singer held a closed door staff meeting on Tuesday, May 31st in which he berated staff members about the leaked information.
"He told everyone the first day back, that whoever did this [leaked info to MSF] ruined his weekend."
Singer went on to explain that he was comfortable with the troubled student returning to school because he "took him out to make sure that he was all good."
Our source explained to MSF that Principal Singer took the student out for mini-golf and ice cream and based on that interaction made the decision that it was appropriate for the student to return to Maple Avenue Middle School.
Remaining Questions:
This story leaves Moving Saratoga Forward with a couple of unanswered questions.
First, did Saratoga Springs School District complete a Threat Assessment for the student prior to the decision to allow the student to return to school?
In July 2018, the Department of Homeland Security released a Threat Assessment Model Operational Guide which is supposed to inform school districts about how to properly assess a troubled student and from there what actions should be taken for the safety of all students in the school district.
"The goal of a threat assessment is to identify students of concern, assess their risk for engaging in violence or other harmful activities, and identify intervention strategies to manage that risk."
What are the strategies being used to "manage the risk?” Or was it determined that the student posed no risk at all?
Second, what was the basis for overruling the School Resource Officer?
Granted threat assessment teams should be multidisciplinary, however one would assume that in certain cases the district should defer to law enforcements expert opinion.
Third, in a post Uvalde environment, it is within reason for staff members and community stakeholders to voice concern about a decision which could impact their personal safety or the safety of a loved one.
Why is Singer, and more broadly, the district Administration attempting to hide this information from the community? Don't families have a right to know about a student who may be a risk to others?
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