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Parents urge district to coordinate with law enforcement over snow‑day contract changes and a countywide 'senior tag' game
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Summary
Two public commenters asked the district for clearer processes: a teacher‑union commenter sought clarity about a contract change that affects how snow days are made up, and a parent asked the district to notify law enforcement and dispatch about a multi‑week senior 'assassin' water‑gun game to reduce misperception‑driven safety responses.
Eileen (public commenter) spoke first during public participation about a contract change negotiated last year affecting calamity (snow) days. She noted the negotiated language says, beginning on the ninth calamity day the day shall be made up at the end of the school year or adjusted through board action, and said she was unclear how the board would execute that "board action." She asked the board to consider the timing and the community notice required when the district contemplates making up days late in the year, noting families may have travel plans and that Mount Vernon currently meets or exceeds the state hourly requirements.
Andrea White, who identified herself as a parent of two high‑school students, then raised a separate concern about a long‑running, student‑organized senior activity she described as "assassin" or "senior tag," which runs for several weeks and uses water guns. White said the activity is well organized but can create community safety risks because unfamiliar observers and some officers may mistake water‑guns or everyday objects for weapons. "My request is this, that the district not rely solely on student communication, but take an active role in ensuring that local law enforcement and dispatch are aware that this activity is occurring," she said, arguing district outreach to safety partners could reduce the risk of a preventable misunderstanding.
Board members and other attendees questioned rules, curfew, video proof requirements and the form of the water guns; participants described safeguards used by students (non‑realistic water toys, video verification within 30 minutes for eliminations, floatation devices) and noted the activity excludes school property. The board discussed options for communicating the event to safety partners and acknowledged the concern without adopting a formal directive at the meeting.
The board did not take binding action on either public comment item during the meeting; discussion centered on clarifying the contract language and on how to coordinate community communications to reduce safety risks.
