Concerned parents confront Sterling school board about unreported school threat

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office told Channel 8 News there was a hit list of students and teachers discovered after a student reported to the principal and superintendent of Sterling High School that a classmate for threatening to kill her.

However, the sheriff’s office says the incident was not reported to the police until weeks later, when concerned parents notified them.

Wednesday, the Sterling school board held their monthly meeting, and lots of parents were there to give their two cents on the situation. 

“Everyday she wondered, today, is it going to be the day I’m going to get shot? Everyday she went to school and had to see this person,” says Rebecca Cambron, the mother of Isabella, who was threatened by her classmate and notified school officials.

Cambron says the school failed her daughter. Many other parents also prepared written speeches to read to the school board, many of them calling on the board to review the threat assessment policies, and ensure that they are being followed correctly.

One parent even demanding school officials to step down.

“I’m here today on behalf of the community to not ask, but demand, the resignation of the superintendent the principal an other school officials who had any knowledge of the threat and didn’t go to law enforcement. I also demand the president of the school board to step down. I’m appalled there was no emergency meeting called to address the issues at hand immediately,” says Chris Nielson, another concerned parent.

Due to policy, board members could not directly respond to comments or questions made by concerned parents.

Rick Smith, the Johnson County Attorney was in attendance as well, and he told parents that he doesn’t believe the threat assessment policy needs to be revised, and that there is no threat to the community.

The school board was unavailable for comment.