New Haven Middle School Principal Pete Downey resigned yesterday -- and accused East Allen County Schools of not addressing safety issues.
School administrators didn't specifically address what Downey said.
However, they both say the district takes student safety very seriously.
Yesterday, Downey stepped down as principal at New Haven Middle School.
He wrote a letter to school board members citing safety concerns from an incident in March.
He says someone tried to get into the school-- so he filed a 'no-trespass' request with district administrators-- and they told him to let him in because the person wasn't threatening anyone.
Downey called the police, and found the person had a criminal history.
He says, only then, a week later, was the 'no-trespass' granted.
Today, school administrators spoke about the allegations.
EACS Superintendent Karyle Green says she was unaware of the incident.
District Student Safety Manager Jeff Studebaker acknowledged the incident, but also declined to elaborate.
"You know, I'd like to refrain from speaking about that, to be honest. I just feel that we as a district have worked hard to create a safe environment for our students and staff, and I'd like to leave it at that," Studebaker says.
Studebaker says he feels all students in the district's schools are completely safe.
He says the schools regularly complete training exercises, and any safety issues are unfounded.
"We've made a real effort to make our buildings, our students, and our state safe. In addition, we have a security officer at new haven high school, and he will regularly rotate to the middle school and the elementary schools in the new haven area," Studebaker says.
Green said she is sad Downey chose to resign, but says student and staff safety is the district's top priority.
Downey also cited administrative decisions in his letter as a reason he is stepping down.
He said administrators left him out of discussion involving changes within the district.
School administrators didn't specifically address what Downey said.
However, they both say the district takes student safety very seriously.
Yesterday, Downey stepped down as principal at New Haven Middle School.
He wrote a letter to school board members citing safety concerns from an incident in March.
He says someone tried to get into the school-- so he filed a 'no-trespass' request with district administrators-- and they told him to let him in because the person wasn't threatening anyone.
Downey called the police, and found the person had a criminal history.
He says, only then, a week later, was the 'no-trespass' granted.
Today, school administrators spoke about the allegations.
EACS Superintendent Karyle Green says she was unaware of the incident.
District Student Safety Manager Jeff Studebaker acknowledged the incident, but also declined to elaborate.
"You know, I'd like to refrain from speaking about that, to be honest. I just feel that we as a district have worked hard to create a safe environment for our students and staff, and I'd like to leave it at that," Studebaker says.
Studebaker says he feels all students in the district's schools are completely safe.
He says the schools regularly complete training exercises, and any safety issues are unfounded.
"We've made a real effort to make our buildings, our students, and our state safe. In addition, we have a security officer at new haven high school, and he will regularly rotate to the middle school and the elementary schools in the new haven area," Studebaker says.
Green said she is sad Downey chose to resign, but says student and staff safety is the district's top priority.
Downey also cited administrative decisions in his letter as a reason he is stepping down.
He said administrators left him out of discussion involving changes within the district.
