Erie principal put on leave
ERIE — Robert Schneeberger, principal of Erie High School, has been placed on administrative leave in response to his handling of alleged threats to students, the Chanute Tribune reported.
On Sept. 29, two students reported to Schneeberger threats by a fellow student of an imminent school shooting.
“He came up to our lunch table and said ‘four more hours until my master plan,’” said Taleigh Shultz. The student then made gun-like motions with his hands toward her and other students, the Tribune reported.
“He told us to wear certain colors so we weren’t on his hit list,” Shultz said.
Student Grace Brown reported a similar encounter with the same student.
Brown said a peer hid behind her in the hallway, telling her that the alleged student was trying to kill her and that he was going to “shoot up the school.”
When the students reported their encounters to their principal, they were met with disbelief.
“He told me I was being dramatic,” said Brown, and asked if she had provoked the student.
Brown said that despite both teachers and students reporting concerning behavior, law enforcement officials were not contacted until much later in the school day.
Later that day, Scott Palser, superintendent of schools, posted on the district’s Facebook page that “the situation was taken care of. At no point was there an active threat to our students or staff.”
On Sept. 30, a group of parents met with the principal to discuss their concerns of how the incident was being handled.
Unsatisfied with Schneeberger’s response, the parents wrote a letter to the Tribune and the USD 101 Board of Education asking for an investigation of the incidents and that Schneeberger be asked to resign.
At their Oct. 6 school board meeting, trustees did not allow public comment, saying those wishing to comment must call ahead to be put on the meeting’s agenda.
On Oct. 7, Palser posted on the district’s Facebook page that Schneeberger “will be away from Erie High School for a period of time.”
Pitt’s recycling program on thin ice
PITTSBURG — A lack of funding may precipitate the closing of The Southeast Kansas Recycling Center, reports The Morning Sun.
“Without significant and sustained intervention through external funding … the recycling center will not be able to stay open, not in the form that it’s in,” said the center’s board chairman, Jeremy Johnson.
