Parents press board on accidental lockdown alert and bus delays; superintendent calls alert human error

At the Thompson Board of Education’s Sept. 9 meeting, parents pressed board members and district administrators about a recent accidental lockdown alert and an unannounced elementary bus delay.

Anthony Valdez asked how an accidental alert could have been made and said parents receive late notifications when children are missing from school. Superintendent Melinda A. Smith replied that “the app was accidentally triggered” and characterized the incident as human error. The technology department will review the notification process, the minutes say.

Nicola Chrzanowski thanked the board for the welding ribbon‑cutting but said there was no notice from bus contractor Dattco about a Friday morning bus delay affecting elementary students and asked whether the district would be able to identify who had been banging on the bus. Superintendent Smith said incidents that become police matters leave the district’s direct handling and that follow‑up would be made; Mr. Greg Guillot was identified in the minutes as the person who “will make a follow‑up call to the police.”

Valdez also asked whether students are aware there are many reasons to lock down beyond an active shooter; Smith said students practice different drills throughout the year (lockdown, tornado, fire, evacuation). Valdez suggested the welding class might build bleachers for the track and field as a volunteer project.

The district recorded no formal findings or policy changes at the meeting; staff were directed to investigate notification timing and transportation communication.