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Parent urges Alice ISD to improve threat notifications after high-school social-media post
Summary
A parent told trustees that news of a student-made threat at Alice High School reached families first through social media and the media rather than district notification; she asked the board to review notification procedures so parents are informed promptly without disclosing confidential details.
A parent told the Alice ISD Board of Trustees on Monday that district communications after a reported student threat to Alice High School were slow and left families alarmed.
"I learned through Facebook that a threat had been made against Alice High School by a student," Cassandra Salinas said during the public-comment period. "Parents should be the first to be notified before any public statements are made or any responses given to the media." She added that she did not seek confidential details, only a short message confirming the situation had been addressed and that there was "no ongoing threat."
Board members and district staff opened the public-comment portion by reminding speakers that board policy BED (local) governs public participation, including time limits, and that student names cannot be used by speakers unless they refer to their own child.
Salinas said the lack of direct notification prompted "shock, panic, confusion, and even anger" among parents and asked the board to review and improve communication protocols so that parents receive timely, basic reassurance during safety incidents.
Superintendent Dr. Trevino and staff did not announce a change to the district's notification policy at the meeting, but safety and communications staff later reviewed existing procedures during the agenda items on safety and on the superintendent's report.
The board did not take immediate formal action during open session on the request, but Salinas's remarks were recorded by trustees, and the superintendent was asked to continue reviewing notification processes and to coordinate with safety staff.
