To the Editor:

I’m writing to you regarding a safety concern that I have that pertains to Guilderland Central School District, specifically Guilderland High School. I am a parent of two children that attend Guilderland Central Schools; my son is an incoming ninth-grader at Guilderland High School.

Earlier this year, on Thursday, Feb. 1, we received a phone call from Michael Laster, principal of Farnsworth Middle School, notifying us of a “kill list” that a fellow eighth-grade student had made, which listed approximately 20 students on it and one teacher.

The child of concern was removed from the school and arrested. The district was notified of the circumstances, and the local police department issued a notice of the arrest. The child was not to return; it was what we were advised of.

Most recently, on Aug. 27, my son attended a student-guided tour at the high school for incoming freshmen. He notified me that, while he was attending the tour, the child of concern who made the “kill list” was in attendance.

Prior to that date, we had received no updates regarding any possibility of return whatsoever. I have reached out and spoken to the high school principal and the district superintendent, as well as to our local police department, who have all confirmed that this child is returning to school this year in our district.

All have been very empathetic and understanding, however, due to privacy, incredibly limited on the details that they were able to provide. None could advise of any details pertaining to a safety plan on the return of said child.

I’ve requested this not only for reassurance regarding the safety and well being of my child, but for fellow classmates as well as staff members. I have reached out and spoken with my local assemblyman’s office and our governor’s office as well as to the New York State Student support Services. 

I’ve been told this remains at a district level. I’ve reached out to and informed our district’s board of education, only to be ignored.

I am writing to you in hopes of obtaining some assistance; the school seems to have their hands tied. I understand that the child of concern is entitled to a public education; I am by no means indicating that they should not have that opportunity, and I truly hope they have received and continue to receive any help or assistance they may need.

However, I feel as not only a concerned parent, but as a member of this community that allowing this child, who had taken the time to think of, construct, and write out a “kill list” and title it “kill list” with multiple names on it, shows premeditated intent to cause serious harm, and I do not believe or feel as though allowing them back into the same district setting with his former peers, many of whom are still very shaken by this, is right or appropriate.

Even so, if that is the case, the parents and community members should be informed on what the safety measures are that will be in place to continue to keep everyone as safe as possible.

I ask that someone please assist with the investigation and reporting of this obvious issue. The district is apparently keeping their lips sealed and it certainly feels like they are doing this to sweep an issue under the rug.

We deserve to be in the know. What measures are being taken? There has to be an obvious plan in place or I would hope one is in place, and that extra reassurance would be valuable to us and our children. 

These children are still growing and learning. It is up to us as parents, administrators, and community members to provide them with an environment that is not only filled with education and resources, but is most importantly safe.

Our children should be able to feel safe, and feel as though they are protected and surrounded by individuals who are trustworthy. By not providing us with information on how students will be safe, [the school district] does not prove that students will be protected and also opens up an opportunity for many of them to feel triggered and have a trauma response over the sudden return of this adolescent.

I’ve been told “if you see something, say something,” which I’ve done multiple times over the course of the past 72 hours. And, while I’ve been told that my concerns are valid, no one is able to do anything about this, which is absolutely terrifying.

Something needs to be done; if there is a secure plan in place, we as parents and community members, should be informed, and kept in the loop. I appreciate your attention to this extreme matter; please know my intent is to have this be a positive outcome.

However, I’ve given the district and its team several days to respond and I’ve gotten nowhere. Any help or light that can be shed on this scary situation would be very helpful.

DeAnna Cornelius

Guilderland

Editor’s note: See related story.