Parents press district for stronger security after written threats; district cites safety teams and police coordination

Multiple parents told the Elyria City School Board on Oct. 1 they remain concerned about recent threats and uneven visible police presence at district schools, and they asked trustees to increase security and communication.

"We had two threats on the inside of the building. They were written," said Terry Groener, an Elyria resident and parent. Groener said an initial outside threat had been handled with a roughly six-minute response from the Lorain County Sheriff's Department, but he said later written threats produced only brief police presence and unclear follow-up.

"We're gonna have more police presence, Friday, which apparently there was for, like, 30 minutes," Groener said. "I still don't really believe there's much of a police presence at the school." He suggested the district and the police departments discuss stationing at least one officer to roam hallways and asked trustees to consider grants for screening equipment.

Another parent, who identified herself as Ashley and said she had emailed the board, described seeing two sheriff deputies during drop-off but not a consistent presence later in the week. "Two cops on a Friday, none on a Monday, and one facing the street in a car on a Tuesday with no other cruisers is unacceptable," she said.

In response, Annie Carstoffman, a board member, said the district has added safety staff and coordinates with law enforcement. Carstoffman said the district now has nine safety associates across buildings, a safety coordinator, licensed social workers and counselors in every building, and that administrators have been working with the Elyria Police Department (EPD) and the Lorain County Sheriff's Office.

"We have to take every single threat seriously," Carstoffman said. She said the district sends letters to parents and conducts assemblies with EPD and the Lorain County Sheriff's Office; she added that some students who made threats have been charged with terroristic threats and that investigations vary in difficulty.

District administrators told the board they will not disclose certain operational details publicly when those details could undermine safety operations. The transcript identifies Amy (communications) and Mark Osborne (head of safety) as staff who coordinate crisis communications and safety planning.

Parents at the meeting urged clearer, more timely updates after incidents and asked the board to consider additional physical security measures, volunteer monitoring and closer coordination with local law enforcement. Trustees moved the meeting to executive session later in the agenda; no public vote on additional security measures was taken at the Oct. 1 meeting.