By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — Residents of Claremont will have a chance to voice their feelings on how to keep children and staff safe while at school, with a Safe Schools Community Discussion scheduled for Monday, March 17.
The event was originally scheduled for March 6 but SAU 6 officials announced that it would be rescheduled for the date above. It comes in the wake of several incidents at SAU 6 schools, with one involving students allegedly bringing a BB gun into school and another with a teacher who is facing charges for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a child.
“This meeting is intended to foster a constructive dialogue, where we can listen to the concerns and ideas of the community as we continue to enhance school safety,” Superintendent Chris Pratt wrote in a letter to the SAU 6 community. “While this is not a forum to dwell on past actions, we welcome thoughtful discussions that focus on solutions and forward-thinking approaches to keeping our schools safe.”
The event is open to the public, and the district is encouraging members of the community to come and talk about how to make the city’s schools safer for the present and future.
“Your input is valuable, and we welcome your thoughts, ideas and suggestions on improving school safety,” Pratt wrote. “This is an opportunity to collaborate, share concerns, and work together toward meaningful solutions for our students, staff, and families. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you there.”
The Claremont School District has been in the spotlight recently after Stevens High School was put on lockdown for the report of students with a gun in the school.
According to Deputy Chief Christopher Allen, on Feb. 11 at 12:56 p.m., the Claremont Police Department was notified by Stevens High School staff of a student, or students, believed to be armed with a handgun. He said that a concerned student saw a video released on a social media platform that showed the gun in the school. The student told the principal who then called the police, and a lockdown was put into effect.
Allen said that the officers entered the school and they located the four minors and put them into custody. They did not attempt to flee, but Allen would not confirm where they were found in the school. Superintendent Chris Pratt’s letter to parents said that law enforcement located the students “who were not in lockdown” and one of them was in possession of the BB gun.
The students were arrested and are facing expulsion, according to a letter sent out to the school community by Pratt.
At the middle school, a former teacher was also arrested and then fired for allegedly violating a no-contact court order with a 14-year-old student. Erin Mullen, 38, of Springfield, Vermont, was served a Stalking Temporary Order of Protection the afternoon of Feb. 5 and then arrested minutes after when she was seen by a police officer with the student at the community center. Police then notified the Claremont School District and she was immediately fired. Pratt is also looking into her getting her certification stripped.
The school district and police have been investigating Mullen’s “concerning behavior” with the child since the fall, and the investigation is ongoing.
Mullen is facing charges of stalking and violating a protective order, and she has pleaded not guilty.
Back in October there was also an incident where a student made a threat of an act of violence at Stevens High School. School officials worked with local authorities to identify the student, but the actions caused the school to be closed while they investigated.
The discussion is scheduled for March 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Stevens High School Auditorium.
