Below is a message from Board of Education President Tom Donnelly on behalf of the entire school board:
Dear Wildcat Nation,
Our hearts and prayers are with our entire Wildcat community as we continue to grieve and begin to heal from this horrific tragedy. Our community has been shaken to its core during this tragedy, and I want our entire Wildcat Nation to know we are with you.
On behalf of the Oxford Community Schools Board of Education and as the Board President, I wanted to provide an update on action taken at our Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
First, our board voted unanimously to support Superintendent Tim Throne’s call for a third-party review of the horrific tragedy that took place. This review will help provide transparency and accountability for our Wildcat community and help us emerge better and stronger.
This review will be a blue-ribbon-style commission that looks in totality at our schools today, what is asked of our people, our guiding policies, and how we can do better. It will look at our entire system as communities like Parkland and others have done when facing similar experiences.
While we continue to work out the details of how and when this review will take place, please know we will be seeking and including feedback from our students, families and greater school community. You will be part of this process alongside us, and we are committed to doing this in the most thoughtful and sensitive way possible that allows our community to move forward.
The board also unanimously approved an alternate timeline of our search for the next Oxford Community Schools superintendent, as Superintendent Throne has announced he is postponing his retirement in order to see our community through this tragedy.
Moving forward, we are enacting a zero tolerance policy regarding violent content of any kind, whether in word, deed or on social media.
In addition, students who engage in threatening behavior of any kind or are found with violent images, words or online activity either on or off school grounds, will be required to undergo a rigorous threat assessment with law enforcement personnel and mental health professionals consistent with state laws.
As we all take our holiday break, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions, concerns and feedback. Please take the time to be with your families and get some much-needed rest. Our Board of Education looks forward to hearing from you.
Oxford StrOng,
Tom Donnelly, School Board President