Parents in Dawson Creek are furious after discovering the local school district did not disclose its knowledge of a high school student "hit list" with more than half a dozen names of students targeted.
"We were told not to say anything," says one parent who found their son's name on the list. "But this is ridiculous - people need to know what is going on."
Parents spoke to the Mirror under the condition of anonymity with numerous concerns.
"Students have been added to this list for talking about the list, and trying to alert school staff. I fear for my (child)'s safety, my own, as well as repercussions from administration, who seem to have gone out of their way to do nothing about our concerns," said one distraught parent.
School District 59 assistant superintendent Candace Clouthier says the district moved as fast as possible when assessing a student list provided to the Dawson Creek secondary school principal earlier this year.
"We first heard about a list, our investigations revealed there was indeed a threat attached to the list, and we enacted our protocols for such an event," she says, understanding concerns from parents in the community.
"The student has not been in school since then. When there is a threat of violence, our risk assessment is to respond immediately, whether it is to a student threatening to harm others, or themselves."
Clouthier did note that once a matter is serious enough and RCMP are involved, the school can still continue with its own investigation apart from the RCMP.
"Counselling was offered to all involved and we always err on the side of caution."
Another parent was made aware of rumors of a hit list in March and was informed April by RCMP that her child's name was indeed on the list. While eight parents were notified, other parents wanted to be informed, either by the school district or Dawson Creek secondary school.
One mother said her actions were swift at the time.
"I needed to get my child out of there. Right then and there."
"I don't know why we are the ones jumping through hoops (to get information)," said another parent. "One student threatened to kill a handful of others. It's that simple."
Clouthier noted that once a threat was attached to the list of names, social media scans were completed and other protocol moves were put into effect.
"The matter was dealt with at the school level however once we discovered there was indeed a threat after spring break, we enacted protocols for this type of situation. We take it very seriously."
Additional safety measures were put in place immediately following the threat and further measures were taken after input from parents.
Security ranges from limited access to the building to complete lockdown and would be enacted when necessary.
"This is a public building that we will certainly lock down for safety concerns. There is more security at the high school, with increased sign-in and more locked doors, we are doing the best to make sure students are safe," Clouthier said.
She did note however that in a situation where students were offered the chance to meet with the student who created the list that it was not part of the protocol and the school and district put a stop to the process.
"While that could be part of a much longer process in terms of healing, while that offer was put out there we put a stop to it," she said.
Clouthier noted SD 59 would be making a decision about the educational plan for the student before classes return in the fall.
