Response to Community Member’s Statement at City Commission Meeting

Springfield City Commission
76 E. High St.
Springfield, OH 45502-1214

Dear Mayor Rue and Springfield City Commission Members,

It has come to my attention that a community member raised concerns about an incident on one of our campuses during last night's City Commission meeting. We would like to provide additional context and address any concerns that may have arisen from these public comments.

Our district investigates each and every complaint/concern about bullying and harassment. We have a very comprehensive process for these types of complaints. The incident referenced at the meeting occurred over a year ago and involved an elementary student making a potentially threatening statement. As soon as the building administration was made aware, we immediately followed protocols, which included conducting a formal threat assessment. The initial assessment, completed by one of our principals and the Kenton Ridge School Resource Officer (SRO), determined that the student did not pose an ongoing threat. In response to additional concerns from the affected family, a second threat assessment was conducted by a different principal and the Northeastern SRO, with the same findings.

It is important to emphasize that this matter was fully investigated multiple times. Additionally, the district engaged with the NAACP at the parent's request, and both the former and current superintendents participated in discussions to ensure that all concerns were fully addressed. After careful review, it was determined that the district had fulfilled its due diligence in handling the situation appropriately. The student in question no longer attends any schools in our district.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priority. We understand that school safety is a top concern for our families, and we appreciate the ongoing partnership of our community in maintaining a secure and inclusive learning environment. We firmly believe that our schools are safe places for learning and growth, and we remain committed to fostering an environment where all students feel safe, valued, and supported.

We strongly encourage students, staff, and families to utilize our anonymous safety tipline, accessible at the top of our website or by calling (937) 568-7117. Prompt reporting allows us to take swift and appropriate action to ensure the safety of all members of our school community.

We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and ensuring a safe and welcoming learning environment for every student. We continually assess and strengthen our safety processes to ensure that every student and staff member is protected. If there are any further questions or concerns, we welcome the opportunity for continued dialogue. I can be reached at jackfisher@nelsd.org, wearelistening@nelsd.org or (937) 325-7615.

Sincerely,

Jack Fisher
Superintendent
Northeastern Local School District