EXCLUSIVE: Boone Didn’t Contact Burncoat Principal After Gun Incident

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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Patrick Sargent, GoLocal Worcester Contributor

On Friday, a gun was found in locker at Burncoat High School. The only word from Worcester Public Schools (WPS) has been a released statement from the WPS’ Communication Specialist Jen Roy. (The full text of the statement can be read below.)

According to sources, as of Tuesday evening Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone still had not contacted William Foley, the principal of Burncoat High. 

“A loaded gun in a Worcester school is a massively traumatic event, fraught with negative ramifications for student and staff safety, and for school morale,” said Worcester School Committee member Brian O’Connell.”I would have expected the Superintendent to contact the school principal promptly, and I still expect her to reach out to the staff as well, visiting the school, engaging in discussions with all segments of the school community, and welcoming advice and input as to the incident and any underlying topics which are distressing the school.”

When GoLocal reached out to Dr. Boone on Tuesday, Roy sent a statement that ultimately denied that Dr. Boone hadn't tried to be in touch with Foley, but also didn't reveal whether or not Boone had spoken with Foley.

The statement from Dr.Boone's office read: "Superintendent Melinda Boone was out on Friday and the Chief Academic Officer, Marco Rodrigues, was acting. Superintendent Boone was in direct contact with Dr. Rodrigues throughout the afternoon and reached out to Principal William Foley on Friday. The Superintendent will meet with Mr. Foley this week to review the safety protocols currently in place at Burncoat High School and to determine if additional measures should be in place when school resumes on Monday."

However, according to a source with knowledge of the situation, Dr. Boone did not reach out to Foley and he had yet to hear from her.

As GoLocal Worcester reported on Monday, the Worcester Public Schools' policy on possession or use of weapons states that if a student is found in possession of a weapon, it is the principal's discretion as to whether or not the student is expelled or put on long-term suspension.

A serious incident such as Friday’s would deem it necessary for the Superintendent to contact Foley to offer advice or to listen to the principal’s concerns. There has been no email or letter from Dr. Boone to the parents, students and Burncoat community.

“The call to the principal should take place immediately, and Dr. Boone should be on site, ready to listen closely to the school community, as soon as school reconvenes next Monday.In the meanwhile, an e-mail message from her to all staff and students, which reflects her appreciation of their concerns, and steps she is taking to assure their comfort and safety, is vital right now,” O’Connell said.

Here is the full text of WPS statement on Friday’s incident:

At approximately 11:30 am a teacher overheard a student talking about using a gun in the community. The teacher alerted school administration and a search was conducted. The administration found a handgun inside a container in the student locker. The Worcester Public Schools’ Safety Liaison and the Worcester Police Department were called and responded immediately. The student was arrested. At no point in time were any students, faculty or staff members under threat. There was no disruption to the school day.

In addition to facing charges, the student violated the WPS Code of Conduct prohibiting students from possessing weapons in school. Full disciplinary actions will be exercised according to the WPS discipline policies and 37H regulations, which allow principals to long-term suspend students for a period of a year or more.

Schools will be closed next week due to spring vacation. The administration and school officials will evaluate the situation to determine if any further measures should be taken in addition to current safety protocols.

We commend the school administration and staff for their immediate response to this situation. ​

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