Schools don’t say when kids who make threats return to campus | Tacoma News Tribune

In September, a student in the Puyallup School District made a social media threat of a shooting, leading concerned parents like Shannon Sullivan to keep their children home for safety. When the district later informed families that the student had returned to school, Sullivan was taken aback and sought clarification from school officials, who cited privacy laws as the reason for their lack of communication. Sullivan argued that transparency is crucial for parents to make informed decisions regarding their children's safety. A spokesperson for the Puyallup School District emphasized their adherence to privacy regulations while assuring the community of their rigorous threat assessment process. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction also noted that revealing a student's return after disciplinary action could violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Sullivan contended that schools could share necessary information without identifying the student involved. This situation underscores the ongoing tension between maintaining student privacy and ensuring community safety, prompting calls for a more balanced communication strategy from the district.