Answers About Violent Week At School

PICKERINGTON, Ohio—A rough week of arsons, bomb threats and lockdowns put students and parents in the Pickerington Local School District on edge.

“I was more worried about my friends, because I was close with the people that were on the list and stuff like that,“ said Bethany Sines, a student.

“The communication between the school and parents—none of us had any idea unless the kids told us or text messaged us. We had no idea what was going on,“ said Lisa Sines, a parent.

All of the incidents happened at Pickerington Central High School last week. At a meeting Tuesday night, district administrators assured parents that a suspect in the arson and three suspects accused of making the threats were removed from school. They could face up to a year of expulsion.

“I will take those punishments to the very maximum—whatever that is—by state law,“ said Superintendent Karen Mantia, of Pickerington Local Schools.

Extra security measures are in place. More cameras have been installed. Substitute teachers have been hired as extra safety monitors. Hall pass policies are restricted to emergencies only, and teachers will monitor restrooms in between periods.

“I feel a lot better that the parents and the students and the faculty and district are doing everything they can and have addressed a lot of my concerns,“ said Karla Palm, a parent.

The district is pushing to pass the upcoming levy in May. If it passes the state will provide 50 million dollars for renovations. That includes updating security measures for Pickerington Central High School.

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