From Rookie to Reality Case Analysis and Rationale

Part 1:Case Analysis

1.A brief summary of the case:

As the principal of Shoreline Elementary School is ill, an interim principal

has been assigned. As assistant principal, I may act as principal after receiving

training from my current principal, Rick King While acting as interim principal, I

met students and visited classrooms. A homemade pipe bomb was found two

weeks later outside one of Rick King's classrooms.

This incident led to a bomb squad being dispatched, and no one was hurt.

The district was on high alert because it could happen anywhere. A fourth-grade

student and his parents approached me as the interim principal of Shoreline

Elementary when they noticed a strange object on the sidewalk. My suspicions

were confirmed when I observed what appeared to be a metal object taped to

both ends.

2. Identify the issues to be resolved:

To determine if an object is a bomb, it is imperative to examine it carefully.

Removing it ensures the safety of students, teachers, staff, parents, and

community members, and reassuring the surrounding communities.

3. Involved stakeholders:

A wide range of stakeholders are involved, including myself (Interim

Principal at Shoreline Elementary), Rick King, bus drivers, the school board, the

local newspaper, the superintendent, the lawyer for the board, and community

members.
4. Relevant laws or court rulings:

It has been developed by the Department of Homeland Security and the

Department of Justice (DHS-DOJ) to provide quick reference information for

situations such as these (Bomb Threat Guidance, 2016). This document provides

school principals with guidance in determining how to prepare for a bomb threat,

assess the threat, respond to staff, and evacuate or shelter in place on the day of

the event.

5. In relation to the issues, the district has the following policies:

CCSD regulation #5143, for example, stipulates that each school site

develops a bomb threat protocol and that it should be enacted if needed (Trustee

general information). Clark County School District Board of School Trustees,

2020, states that school authorities may close schools entirely, but principals

must decide how to evacuate the schools (Trustee general information).

6. The following are possible solutions:

There are a number of possible solutions to this problem, including

evacuating the area; contacting local authorities; and contacting district officials.

7. Resolving the issues with the following solutions:

In order to resolve this issue, I have chosen to combine a number of

possible solutions. The area would need to be evacuated, the local authority

contacted, and the district office contacted.

8. Action steps
The local authorities should be notified if there is a threat. The fire alarm should be

activated if the evacuation area is away from the building. I would direct people to safe

evacuation areas if the evacuation area is near the threat. Upon contacting 911, my

next step would be to notify the district office. The next step would be to join my school

staff and students in the evacuation area and keep in touch with the police department

either by cell phone or by emergency walkie-talkie (if one is available). During this time,

parents will be notified of the evacuation and the safety of their children. I will inform

them that more information will be available soon. Finally, I would follow instructions

from local authorities and keep the district updated if any changes occur after the

evacuation. Upon resolution of the issue, I would allow students back into the building

and continue the school day. I would then inform the parents of the resolution in a

formal note. Additionally, I would provide counseling services to students and staff if

they needed or wanted them.

9. The solutions may have the following moral and legal consequences:

The solution I propose has the potential to result in moral and/or legal

consequences, including people being injured if the bomb is set off. In addition,

there may be lawsuits for failure to act appropriately. It is my moral responsibility

to inform the campus that the campus has been re-secured following the incident

and all stakeholders have been notified.

Rationale

Managing this complex issue requires consulting with local authorities, my

supervisor, and the attorney for the school board. My solution supports the vision

and/or mission statements of most schools that include student safety. I made
my decision in accordance with the school's vision and/or mission. As well as

safeguarding democracy, equity, and diversity values, my decision was the

fastest and most secure option. In order to protect democracy, I defend

everyone's right to life by seeing to it that everyone is safe. The evacuation of the

area immediately ensures equity as well. A safe place was provided to everyone

regardless of their religion, ethnicity, age, or socioeconomic status. Educational

leaders must ensure that student's needs are taken into consideration in all

facets of schooling in addition to promoting social justice. By evacuating

everyone, regardless of their background, I am promoting social justice as a

social justice advocate. This results in meeting the individual needs of each

student. It is pertinent to note that, in an evacuation, students with disabilities,

general education students, and special education students each have an exit

location. Due to the fact that fairness is not always equal and some students may

require/use additional support, I made a decision that encouraged collaboration,

trust, learning, and high expectations among students in this emergency

situation. It is imperative that multiple entities (local authorities, district officials,

and myself) work together to find a solution to the patiently threatening situation.

This emergency requires that trust be encouraged as well because all parties

must trust that the situation will be handled properly. It is imperative that the

principal ensures that everyone on campus is safe. The school district and local

authorities must be relied upon to handle the situation adequately. All parties

must also trust the person who will remove the object (especially if it is a bomb).

Everyone is learning in this situation. This interim position as principal has

 provided me with the opportunity to gain knowledge about handling this situation,

my teachers have acquired knowledge about student emotions, and students

have acquired knowledge about emergency procedures. Moreover, I, as interim

principal, continue to set high expectations for my staff, as I expect them to

manage this frightening and tense situation thoughtfully and professionally. The

students will also be expected to follow school policies and procedures in an

emergency and behave appropriately.

References

DHS Bomb Threat Guidance. SchoolSafety.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30,

2022, from https://www.schoolsafety.gov/resource/dhs-bomb-threat-guidance

Trustee general information. Trustees General Information | Clark County School

District. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://ccsd.net/trustees/