Davey Shooting Threat Causes District to Address Communication

After news of a school shooting threat at Davey Elementary was released nearly a week after it happened, parents had some major questions for the school district.

Many of those questions were answered by school officials, including Superintendent Joe Giancola and Principal Abby Bolton, during a PTO meeting Wednesday night.

PTO President Jen Ingersoll said administrators described the incident and answered parents' questions and concerns.

"The parents were so positive and supportive and the dialogue was calm," Ingersoll said.

Many parents were upset over the lack of communication to them about the incident, wondering why they had to find out about the threat six days later through news reports.

According to Kent police, Rachel A. Gauntner issued the violent threat on Jan. 31 while airing criticisms to a teacher about the level of education her special needs son was receiving.

The teacher and another eyewitness reported Gauntner even referenced the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, said Kent Police Lt. Jim Prusha.

"The need for communication was very clear and the district was receptive of being more communicative," Ingersoll said.

She said several possibilities were discussed including sending out a parent broadcast by Giancola when events like the threat occur.

Davey parent Barb Barkley said she felt the meeting was beneficial and administrators made her feel better about communication in the future.

"They listened to parent feedback about timing and reporting and how it made parents feel," Barkley said. "They were open to all the feedback. It was more about how can we work together going forward about how to go about communication."

She thinks parents who weren't able to attend Wednesday's meeting can be at ease about staying in the loop.

"Parents should feel comfortable that the school and board are doing the best they can to communicate," she said.

Ingersoll said the feedback from parents added insight on how to share information in the future, saying she would rather be called more often than necessary than not be called.

"Our administrators care much for their students and their safety and do their very best to keep our children safe," Ingersoll said.