Dr. Mckee's Letter

4 March 2016

Dear Timpview Community,

Over the course of the past month, we have experienced a couple of incidences that have raised some concerns in the community. These incidences involve students gaining access to the tunnels and storage areas beneath the school. These areas are not intended for general student use with the exception of when the baseball and softball teams are using the hitting cages under the supervision of their coaches. The tunnels specifically are very hazardous and unsafe for students.

On three occasions that we are aware students entered the tunnels and/or storage areas without permission or supervision. On the first occasion, the students did considerable damage to the building by freezing some water pipes when they left the exterior doors open and spray painting graffiti in the tunnels. On the second occasion, we caught students after they had exited the tunnels. No damage was done to the building, but the curiosity of these students placed them in an unsafe situation.

The final incident involved over one hundred students being invited through social media to a “party” in the storage area during school time. These students skipped class or were given forged hall passes to get out of class to attend this party. A handful of students from other schools were also involved. Fortunately, the School Resource Officer was making his routine rounds throughout the school when he stumbled upon the group. When confronted students began to flee the scene. Three students were injured, and damage was done to the school, including broken fire sprinkler pipes, a broken window, and damage to drama scenery.

During our investigation of this incident, it was apparent that students most likely gained access through a missing set of school keys. While these keys have reappeared, we believe that other keys are still missing and/or duplicates have been made. Consequently, we are re-keying the entire building at great expense. In addition, we have been made aware of several other access points that students have used over the years to enter the tunnels and storage areas. Our maintenance crews are changing access and blocking these points.

This event has been a disruption to the school in terms of expense and time away from other duties. Every student that left class, whether to participate or simply to see the activity, have received a school consequence.

I am concerned as we move forward that students, under the guise of “Senior Pranks”, may attempt to further disrupt the school. I recognize that there is somewhat of a tradition or practice for students to do something they consider funny; for instance, I’ve stopped counting the number of times my cell phone rang last year with “potential buyers” for the school. While last year’s example was harmless, students need to understand, however, that any future activity that is unsafe, disrupts the school day, or damages the facility in anyway may result in severe consequences.

One of my worst experiences as an administrator occurred a few years ago when I was awakened by police dispatch to come to the school at 4:00 am because the police had received a report of a break into the school. Five police agencies had responded to the report and caught a group of our students attempting to fill the old pit in the Commons with water and gold fish. The police entered the darkened building with their weapons drawn unaware of what was actually taking place, startling the students who fled the scene. When I arrived at the school three of our students were on the curb in cuffs. I still get worked up about the thought of what might have happened had a weapon been discharged during the chaos of the moment. In this day and age, what may appear to be an innocent, fun prank can result in horrific results.

Please take a moment to speak with your child about ending the school year in a positive way and avoiding any activity that may be unsafe, disruptive, or result in damages to the school. We have had a great school year thus far, and I appreciate your support as we try to end it on a high note.

Best wishes,

Todd