Parent tells Elma board students reported knife threats, urges clearer policies and retraining

During the public-comment period, a parent who identified herself as Rachel told the Elma School District board that a student threatened classmates with a knife and that parents and students felt school staff did not take immediate, appropriate action.

"They reported the threat to the prevention club and the principal," Rachel said. "According to parents and students involved, immediate action was not taken. Parents ultimately had to call law enforcement themselves." She added that, when her husband asked the principal what his duties were in such a situation, the principal could not answer and said he would "get back to us within 4 to 10 days." Rachel said that a follow-up letter from the principal stated witnesses were "not credible," and that only one student was searched; the knife was never found.

Rachel urged the board to adopt clear, district‑wide policies and procedures for weapon threats and violent incidents, require regular retraining for principals and administrators, make those policies readily accessible at the school site, and require a formal incident report so parents receive timely answers.

Her husband, who identified himself as Armando Pavlos, told the board he was concerned that building staff did not have written procedures available in the principal's office and called that absence "concerning," saying it undermines community confidence in school leadership.

Board members thanked the speakers for coming forward. The board did not take immediate action during the meeting; the public-comment guidelines stated the board would not engage in a back-and-forth during public comment.

The comments came before the board moved on to unfinished business and a set of policy and program approvals.