Concerned parents speak out on West Warwick High School’s handling of threatening social media posts

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Concerned parents gathered at West Warwick High School for Wednesday’s school committee meeting, sharing their opinions how the school department handled threatening social media posts in March.

“What has happened over the last week is absolutely disgusting,” parent Katie St. Jean said. “You lied to parents repeatedly. It wasn’t a rumor, it was a fact.”

On April 7, the West Warwick Police Department said in collaboration with the West Warwick High School that the social media rumors of a threat of violence to the high school were not credible.

Laura Timpson, the mother of a 17-year-old at the high school, was at the meeting tonight, looking for some answers. She also felt that there could have been more transparency with the information given to parents.

“I’d like the full truth, that’s what I want. I want our kids protected,” Timpson said. “I do think a lot of this could have been prevented with a lot more truth and a lot more intel to the parents.”

At the meeting Wednesday night, school superintendent Karen Tarasevich addressed the situation, and said she wanted to ensure parents that “our first and foremost priority is and always will be the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.”

In addition, Tarasevich said all the “concerning statements” were thoroughly investigated by West Warwick police, and that the school is offering resources for the student during this time, including counseling services, student assemblies to provide information and support, and meetings with the principal for students “seeking to connect.”

School committee member Luis Colon said the student involved with the social media posts was not in school Wednesday or the day before. The committee also confirmed the student will not be coming back to the school.

“With the permission of the family of the student involved, we can share that the student in question in this circumstance will not be returning to school or participating in any school activities,” Tarasevich said.

At the end of the meeting, parents were given the chance to share how they feel regarding the threatening incident.

One parent, Kayla Jaycox, said the school “gaslit” parents.

“You gaslit us, you sent us an email telling us it was a rumor when we had screenshots. That’s not a rumor, that’s physical proof. So when do we start holding you accountable for our children’s safety?”

The school committee will hold an informational session when students come back from vacation, which is another opportunity to share thoughts on the situation.

For the rest of the week, West Warwick High School will have an increased police presence.

However, Timpson believes this should continue for the children’s safety.

“Everybody’s concerned, so everybody’s on high alert, but what happens when they’re going on vacation, is everyone just going to forget about it at that point?”