A Thursday morning email from Norman Public Schools reported there was a threat of violence on Wednesday evening against Norman High School.
Before noon on Thursday, NPS sent a statement to parents and students providing an update on the security concern. Norman High School Principal Hallie Wright wrote that after a thorough investigation, the threat was deemed unsubstantiated. The threat was from a former student who no longer lives in Oklahoma.
“Our school’s security measures remain in place and will continue to be reviewed and enhanced when needed,” Wright wrote. “It has been evident in this process and we will continue to work together to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all.”
Ward 1 Councilmember Austin Ball posted on Facebook a text message sent by City Manager Darrel Pyle alerting council members of the threat. Ball’s post was later edited to say the threat was resolved. The Norman Police Department identified a suspect and an investigation is underway.
In his post, Ball noted that at the Tuesday Norman City Council meeting, council voted to postpone a vote appropriating $900,995 from the general fund balance for the expansion of the school resource officer program.
In 2014, the city voted to authorize the continuation of the Public Safety Sales Tax, which would provide 13 school resource officer positions in Norman Public Schools.
According to the Tuesday city council agenda, nine of the 13 positions were filled. The resolution would provide funding for the remaining four positions which are proposed to be deployed to Norman Public elementary schools.
In the 2022-23 NPD student resource officer activity summary that was posted by Ball, officers recorded 10 physical criminal arrests, 42 non-custodial criminal charges and 69 cases of crisis intervention regarding mental health.
“From stopping a 40-year-old white man from sexually abusing a child to stopping numerous acts of violence and terrorism to the untold acts of charity and kindness these men and women perform that doesn't go on an activity report, our school resource officers are an integral and necessary part of our community and I ask you to write our council and mayor and demand they stop playing political games with our kids' safety,” Ball wrote.
In the Tuesday meeting, Ward 2 Councilmember Lauren Schueler said she believed postponement was the right move.
Schueler wrote to OU Daily on Thursday that she stands by her decision to postpone.
“To infer that our schools are unsafe because council is playing political games is harmful and dangerous,” Schueler wrote. “We have a duty to all residents of this community to ask questions and dig into the details when it relates to the spending of public money, especially when a separate public entity that is also funded by tax payer money, with their own budget and priorities, is asking us to pay more than a voter approved split of those costs.”
This story was edited by Alexia Aston and Peggy Dodd. Grace Rhodes copy edited this story.
