A Bomb Threat

[Jim K]

I'm on my local Board of Education, and it appears this Board will be hearing the case to expel two students who scrawled a bomb threat on a bathroom wall. As the Board acts as a jury in this situation, we have not been given any information about these kids, or how real the threat might have been, so as not to prejudice our deliberations. But I'm trying to sort out my own thoughts on the matter, in anticipation of having to make a decision that could influence these kids' future.

On the one hand, I read the book and know teens are crazy, and this type of behavior comes from brains perhaps incapable of understanding the consequences of their actions. On the other hand, we live in a bedroom community of New York, and there are kids attending this high school every day who lost fathers on 9/11; threats of terrorism are not abstractions in our community. One of my own kids had trouble sleeping the night before the bomb was threatened to go off, even though the perpetrators had been identified.

I'm struggling with my own thoughts and feelings on this, and I'd appreciate member's insight on the appropriate response a Board might take in this situation.

[MLL]

I really want to wish you all the best. What a difficult decision. Your town is lucky to have a board member who so clearly cares about making the right decision. ( sounds like your kids are pretty lucky too ) Hang in there.

[DADofTeen]

Your post raised a very good question and I praise you for going to such lengths to make sure you make an informed, intelligent decision. Clearly, either way you go on this will undoubtedly anger some faction.

My personal opinion is that teenagers should not be "tried" as adults. Your post says that you are not being given any information about the kids "or how real the threat might have been, so as not to prejudice our deliberations." How on Earth can you make a decision that will impact the lives of three young boys (not to mention their parents) without ALL the relevant information??? Sounds to me like your Board is being asked to answer one simple question - did they actually do it? That sounds like another "zero tolerance" policy at work and I, for one, do not agree with that. Everyone should have a chance to explain their conduct and you, as a Board (and trier of fact in this case) should have the power to make a decision that is fair and just and by definition takes into account precisely the type of information 'they' are withholding from you! What if those kids are having emotional trouble and their scrawling out a bomb threat was a misguided (and subconscious) cry for help? It seems to me they need understanding and help, not 'zero tolerance' punishment.

I applaud your taking this issue to Dr. Bradley's forum - I hope it helps you to better understand what a wonderful opportunity you have been given to show who you really are and make a difference. We all mourn for the tragedy of 9/11; please do not allow anyone to use that tragedy as an excuse to ruin even more lives. I wish you the best in your deliberations.

[Rexanne]

This post is in response to Dr. Bradley's email request for feedback on the bomb threat issue.

This IS a hard one!

I am so torn between coming down hard on these kids and trying to come from "love" in dealing with such a touchy, conflicting issue. I wish I could offer a definite opinion, however, I am just as confused by the implications of ANY decision made in this matter as the next parent or school administrator.

While I understand that "teens will be teens ..." and these boys might have been kidding, I also must understand the community's sensitivity to any threat of terrorism. Let the boys off easy with a stern reprimand, perhaps community service or expel them from the school, hoping to spare others their potential wrath?

I think the bottom line is getting to the truth of the matter. I strongly believe the school board, in instances as these, should have the right to know the truth of the boys' backgrounds, potential reality of their carrying out such an act and their general characters. How else can they possibly come to a "fair" decision in this matter?

Had the kids who committed the Columbine massacre been more closely supervised and paid attention to by their parents, I don't think that tragedy would have happened.

If these boys currently in question are prone to violence, having serious emotional problems and are generally not coping well with life, then they need to be removed from the school ASAP to protect the other children from harm. If these boys are considered "just boys being boys" and basically of sound mind and character but just made a stupid mistake, then this needs to
be taken into consideration as well.

While writing this, I'm realizing that the school board of education is being placed in a position they can no more make true sense of than trying to fly a plane without instruction. Again, the matter needs to be resolved much differently. With facts and as much "unbiased" information about these boys as possible.

If it turns out they DO have emotional stability and anger issues, they should be removed and given every opportunity the state can offer to "get help." If it turns out they committed an act of sheer stupidity, they need to be held responsible, made to understand the severity of their poor choice and should have reasonable consequences imposed.

I feel for this board member who will have to help make this decision. Good luck.

Rexanne Mancini
http://www.rexanne.com

[Marilynne]

Wow, you have a tough decision to make here. I believe the consequences of this bomb threat were never considered, and sometimes kids need a "wake-up" call that there ARE consequences to actions - especially in light of Columbine, Paducah, KY and so many other school incidents. We know how much these incidents affect our kids and that they are made very aware of the gravity of a situation like this. Sadly, like most kids, they probably think they won't get caught, or it's just a joke, or they are indestructible! If these kids aren't disciplined properly, then once the incident blows over, all will be forgotten and who knows how many other kids might get the same ideas because "nothing happened to those boys".

We live in a small community where zero tolerance is the rule. Last year a friend's son was selling her prescription drugs to make money to buy a Playstation! He is from a very good, loving family who at times can even be a little overprotective with their kids. When the mom found out, she went to school and "busted" her own son. This boy was not taking the drugs, simply not thinking about consequences, just the Playstation. He was expelled from school, put in an alternate learning environment with "unruly" kids and paid his dues. The family was harrassed by the "buyers" of the drugs, the mom had names, but the kids denied everything. This boy is now back in his regular school, with his regular friends and has learned his lesson.

Just yesterday, my 15 year old overheard a conversation in class of a boy telling how he was psychopathic and wanted to kill everyone! She was very disturbed. The classmate he was talking to went and told the teacher of the comments. Minutes later, my daughter and her friend were called to the office to file an incident report on this boy. She said he is a "scary" kid, and he's in two of her classes. She's a little apprehensive now. How very, very sad that we try to raise our children in a safe community with safe schools and have no control over what happens to them once they leave their little "bubble" called home. Some of our children go to school every day in fear of this type of activity. Sadly, there have to be strict guidelines and every event has to be taken very seriously.

Best of Luck in your decision. Let us know the outcome will you?

[bluetopazz]

First issue: You do not have enough information to make a decision if all you have is what you posted. Second issue: These teens must be lovingly disciplined and accountable for their actions. You must be provided with more information, what is the home situation, do these teens have behavioral challenges, such as emotional or mental conditions? What is their behavioral history? Is this a first offense or one of many? What are the school’s codes and procedures for dealing with behavioral issues? They must understand the consequences of their actions. It might be a good idea to have them counseled say in a group session where they hear from their peers how they feel about what they did and how 9/11 has affected the ones who lost loved ones. Community service for those less fortunate than they for an extended period of time might be effective. Have the school psychologist evaluate them. My son is bipolar. He was diagnosed ADD first and attention disorder with anxiety. We were referred to the local Community Mental Health Center where he was thoroughly evaluated mentally, academically, and physically. This referral was a result of consistent behavioral and attention problems at school. We have gone through 3 yrs of counseling, therapy, and medication trials. He is now off the ADD medication but continues to take medication for depression and his bipolar (manic/depressive). And yes you can tell when he skips his medication. I must commend our school for working diligently with us. This ties in also with no child left behind. My child is now excelling in school. This is very important for him to feel a sense of accomplishment and a sense of belonging. Wishing you the best in this situation.

[mwilliams]

As a parent of two grown children and an advocate for all kids for many years, I want to encourage you to seek all the facts before making any decision. It sounds as if your school administrators are not really doing the kind of job you, as a Board member, should insist upon. Asking you to judge these students without all the information is absurd. Remember, the administrators work for you, the Board!

Insist upon being provided all the facts and gather information of all alternative education settings available as well as counseling/guidance services in your area. Talk with the providers of these services and perhaps a juvenile judge for counsel.

In the end, do what you think is right in your heart.

[prl49]

Dear Jim K,
It's hard to make an informed decision without information. It's like being a jury at a trial where you don't know anything about the defendant or much about the crime. We wouldn’t treat the worst offender this way. Why is it fair to judge these kids without due process? Is it because they’re teenagers?
Maybe everyone needs to take a deep breath. The kid’s involved in this incident need to be evaluated so a fair decision can be made. If they’re “good” kids that made a bad decision expelling them will not make the school or anyone else safer. It could have the opposite result. If they are kids that are troubled expelling them will not solve the problem either. They need help. They need counseling and the support of the community.
I understand people’s fear. However, fear should not be what guides you. Everyone needs to look at the whole picture big and small. Punishing these kids will not make it all better. Objectivity, compassion, and, fairness is the only road to take.
My thoughts are with you and your community.
PRL

[Jim K]

Wow. Thanks to all for your responses; a lot of good things to think about.

Apparently I wasn't very clear on a procedural point. We are not being given information in advance of the hearing. At the hearing itself, due process will kick in: the administration will make its case, the kids will have a chance to make theirs, and both parties will have a chance to refute and rebut. It's after all that happens that the board makes its call.

We've been getting tons of information from the lawyers on the laws and statutes that impact the case. I'm just trying to develop my own frame of reference on the values that come to bear. I really appreciate your insight and suggestions. Thanks again.

[lmomg]

I'm flattered that you are asking for our advice.
Best advice I have is to get all the facts you can and do not be rushed into a decision if you need time to ponder it.

The board certainly can meet at another date if more time is needed. It seems to me that the boys should be evaluated by a mental health professional, so that you can get their input and the boys can also get the follow-up help they need regardless of the school boards decision.

A bomb threat is not to be taken lightly and part of your job is protecting the other students there.

My 17 yo nephew is in prison now for murdering his own mother (my sister-in-law) after a psychotic episode after taking illegal drugs. Yes, it is an extreme case, but I am so tired of people excusing horrid behavior from teens, thinking it is just a phase.

Good luck on your tough dilemna.

[prl49]

Dear JimK,
It might help to consult with professionals in your community who are knowledgeable in the psychology of adolescents. I know where I live there are psychologists and advocate communities that are dedicated to helping and understanding adolescents. It will give you a balanced perspective.
Good Luck!
PRL

[dana5111]

I truly believe you have not been given enough information to make a decision in this matter! If the kids did it "in fun" the consequences of expulsion far outweigh the act itself. If the kids are a serious threat, then it is not a matter for the school board to decide. You really should be given more information on the situation and both sides should be able to present their "case" if you are acting as a "Jury".

[mclaughlin33]

I don't think it matters whether these are "good" kids just playing a prank or kids with some real emotional problems, and as a school board member you are not qualified to make that judgement either. I think a reasonable response would be to take them out of school immediately, put them in some kind of treatment/evaluation program for the rest of the year. If they complete that successfully, let them go to summer school and make up what they missed, then come back in the the fall.

I have a 16 year old daughter and I would be upset if I found out something like this happened and the school board decided they were good kids and just gave them a 3 day suspension, or something. This is a serious offense and should not be treated lightly.

[admin]

As a parent of a crazy teen (tonight he could not fathom signing a contract to limit his gaming to grades) I can feel your churning inside.

My mother was on a school board on Long Island. She believed on being firm in these cases. However, if the kids were just trying to get attention or "acting out" that will take time to figure out.

You should have a range of options.
1) Opt for some "boot camp". Not nice from their perspective but in the long run, it might wake them up.
2) You could suspend them but then what...there they go into nothingness? There has to be something more focused.
2) Community Service. Betcha these fellows never saw the insides of a Museum of Natural History, Zoo or other historical site. Pair them with a mentor of the right personality for a teen and it could change their whole perspective.
3) Career Day Stuff. Make them work with a local paper covering recent acts that are similar to what they did. Let them meet with victims of such acts.

I don't know if you find this helpful. I am going through a job search right now and if you would share with me in prayer (which I believe is what makes our USA great!) I would deeply appreciate it.

It is a credit to your school and your community that you don't take the easy way out on this. These kids are either terribly informed and prejudiced, brain damaged or just as I suppose, in need of a caring, thoughtful person overlooking them such as yourself.

God Bless You!

[divinem]

I would think that because of the seriousness of this situation, the board would want you and the others involved in the "jury" informed of pertinent information so that everyone involved could make an educated and fair decision regarding these kids. I think I would ask the board to give more information before I made a decision of this magnitude. Unfortunately, our kids are living in crazy times. And even if this situation was meant as a harmless prank, these kids should have some sort of punishment. Where would these kids be placed if kicked out? Alternative School? Good luck and God Bless!

[admin]

This is a tuff one! First and foremost you and the board must avail yourselves to as much information about these boys as possible. I think the boys need to be interviewed or evaluated by a qualified psychologist. I think you also need to find out what is or is not going on at home with these boys. Are these children happy and well adjusted or are they outcasts looking to make a statement? What do the teachers think about the boy's overall behavior? I would also try and get an idea from the student body of the school. Do they think the kids were fooling around or were they serious? You need to look at as much of the picture as possible and then make a decision.

Whatever the outcome is I think it would be an eye-opener and possibly a life changing encounter for the boys to visit the sacred ground where the Twin Towers once stood. They should spend time there thinking about and remembering what happened on 9/11. I would also try to arrange for the boys to visit a firehouse or police department that had lost men and women ton this tragic event. Let them speak to people who lost loved ones and allow them to see and feel the devastation that some people needlessly inflict upon their fellow brothers and sisters.

I would make it a weekend they would long remember I would ask them to take pictures and write a report that they would present to the school and the community. I would also recommend that the boys be closely monitored for an indefinite period of time, not only to protect the school but also to make sure that if the boys need help they get it.

I don't believe that we should ever give up on any of our children. Kids often make mistakes and sometime really big mistakes and I think it is crucial for us as adults to give them the help and direction they need. If we take these kids and "throw away the key" what becomes of them, and what do they have planned for us next? It's a whole lot cheaper to treat kids who need help or guidance than it is to treat them to a 6x9 cell. If we lock them up, they lose, the taxpayer loses and the world misses out on the gifts these kids could have shared with the world. We as parents, teachers and concerned adults need to slow down and become more connected to our children. How many gun shots and bomb blasts need to ring out before the hear the message?

Good Luck and God Bless
Jonathan Scott, author of "Fathering from Love"

[Jim K]

Thanks to all who provided solid food for thought with your responses to my original posting. I wanted to let you know how this situation was resolved.

The two students involved in this threat both admitted that they in fact had made the threat. The subsequent police investigation confirmed that the threat was an empty one; no evidence was found that they ever intended to actually follow through with any violence.

The families of both kids were actively supportive of their kids through the process, while fully recognizing their kids' responsibility for their own actions. Prior to the expulsion hearing, the families approached the school administration to try and work out a response that was appropriate to the seriousness of the offense, and yet didn't ruin their high school careers. An agreement was reached, and the administration presented it to the board for its approval.

The two sophomores were suspended from school for a year; with the understanding that if they performed 100 hours of community service between now and July 1, and submitted to psychological evaluation to determine they posed no threat to themselves or others, the suspension would change to probation in September and they would be allowed to resume their studies with their class in the fall. During their suspension they will receive 10 hours tutoring weekly, paid for by the school district.

The Board of Ed unanimously approved this proposed settlement. It underscores the seriousness of the students' actions in the post-Comumbine, post- 9/11 world, and it also recognizes their sincere contrition and their strong desire to earn back the trust of the community. I think it was an appropriate response to an unfortunate and unhappy situation; it is fair and ultimately hopeful.

Unfortunately for the kids, their problems are not over. The local prosecutor has decided to vigoursly pursue criminal charges against them as well, and their cases are pending in state court. It just reinforces Dr. Bradley's point that teens just don't (can't) anticipate the consequences of their actions; and it is just oh so easy to get into potentially life-altering trouble these days!

Thanks again to all who contributed their thoughts on this; as I re-read the thread, it looks to me like our resolution incorporated many of the suggestions you made.