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Student and parents fault district communication after accidental lockdown; police and superintendent cite drills and system glitch
Summary
A student described panic during an accidental lockdown; parents said district messages lacked clarity. Superintendent said officials shared information when they had it and will fix a system glitch; police stressed ongoing staff training and refinements to drills.
A Watertown High School student told the Watertown City School District board that an accidental lockdown during fifth period left students "terrified" and unsure what was happening.
"I was terrified," Nolan Horton said during public comment, describing students running from the lunchroom and using their phones to contact parents because they received no direct messages. Nolan also said peers were told to put phones away rather than allowed to reach family members.
Parent commenter Jamie said district messages sent via ParentSquare were inconsistent and urged clearer, more transparent communication. "Tell the people, be transparent with your messages, and tell us what happened," she said, asking the district to provide updates to parents, students and the community in a way that prevents rumor and social-media speculation.
Police and district officials addressed the board after public comment. A police representative described the department’s training partnership with schools and said drills are focused on preparing staff, not training students directly. "Safety is our number 1 goal for the students and the staff alike," the officer said, adding that drills can create chaotic responses but that they are working with staff to refine procedures.
Superintendent Dr. Larry Schmeidl acknowledged the event as a glitch in the system and said staff and emergency responders acted to ensure safety. "We're gonna find that glitch in the system... we're gonna get it fixed so that doesn't happen again," he told the board, and said the district shared information "when we had it." He added the district is reviewing communications to avoid similar confusion.
The board did not take new formal action on safety protocols during the meeting. Officials said they would continue to review the incident with staff and emergency partners and make adjustments to drills and messaging as needed.
