Students fake gun alarms Machias Elementary parents

Parents at Machias Elementary expressed alarm after a fifth-grade boy displayed a blue toy gun with an orange tip at a school bus stop on March 25. The sheriff's office confirmed the gun was not real, as identified by the boy's parents, but the incident still led to students staying home and heightened anxiety among parents. Sheriff’s spokeswoman Courtney O’Keefe clarified that the boy did not point the toy at anyone. At an April 16 school board meeting, frustrated parents demanded better safety protocols and communication from the district regarding their children's safety. Superintendent Kent Kultgen addressed these concerns, stating a "tailored re-entry plan" would be created for the student involved.

Parents suggested that a School Resource Officer be assigned to the school to enhance safety. This incident has ignited concerns about the district's response to potential threats, as parents feel left in the dark. The ongoing situation reflects broader issues of school safety and communication in the face of alarming events.