Just one week after the fatal stabbing that occurred at Montgomery high school two students were caught with knives on campus. MHS was made aware of this situation via social media. Instead of immediately reporting the incident to police, the administration decided to take matters into their own hands.
Santa Rosa police later learned about this occurrence directly from a parent who was informed by an announcement sent out by the school. The two students, a 15-year-old and 17-year-old were then arrested on Saturday.
The Santa Rosa City Schools put out a commitment statement in order to combat the press they have been receiving. In this statement, which can be found on the Santa Rosa City Schools website, they claim to be increasing campus security and say, “We will continue to work with the SRPD to create long-term strategies for safety.”
Thousands of Sonoma County students protested on Wednesday, March 8 calling for change through organized walkouts and marches across town. These were some of the largest student protests Sonoma County has seen since 2013. Credo and Technology High students met in La Plaza Park in Cotati before marching down to Oliver’s Market as part of the county wide walkout.
Santa Rosa middle and high schools joined together at the courthouse square before walking to City Hall where Santa Rosa City Schools held their board meeting.
Students and parents were expressing frustration over this violence and the lack of safety precautions on campus. To address these issues a listening session was held last Tuesday, March 7 in the Friedman Center of Santa Rosa to allow for the community to express concerns. More than 800 people were present and voicing their opinions. Kaitlin Wood, a parent, said, “I came to get answers. I’ve been to board meetings and parents aren’t getting answers.”
Concerns about the way information was communicated during the lockdown showed to be a common theme. A few students pointed out that they are consistently learning about incidents from peers or social media rather than directly from school officials.
Will Mosier, a student at Maria Carrillo High School expressed the failure of the system, especially when it comes to solving conflicts. “When students get in a fight, they should be offered counseling instead of receiving a slap on the wrist,” said Mosier.
The other major point expressed at the meeting was the lack of resources available for mental health. It is estimated that only five counselors are on campus for about 1500 students. Many parents feel the district should hire more counselors or other qualified staff members.
“I want to see students identified when they have behavior issues. And when they are identified, they [should] receive the mental health that they deserve,” said Reuben Crow Feather, a member of the Lakota tribe.
Students and parents have mixed feelings about bringing police officers back on campus. Rather, they ask for more restorative justice. Students, parents and teachers are taking action and urging for more youth support after the death of 16-year-old Jayden Pienta. Santa Rosa City School superintendent Ann Trunell is promising changes to the way in which the school notifies people about emergency situations.
