Parents Remove Children from Faubion School Over Knife Threat Concerns
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — In a move that has sparked concern among parents, several families have withdrawn their children from Faubion School following an incident involving a student who allegedly brought a knife to school and threatened others.
Students shared their initial reactions upon learning about the threat.
"When you read about these threats, what were your thoughts?" asked KATU's Avery Elowitt.
One student responded, "I felt unsafe and didn't want to go to school."
Another student described the situation, saying, "We were randomly added to a group chat, where we were called slurs. The student threatened us with a knife, and he brought it to school in his backpack. Despite this, he hasn't been expelled."
Audrey Zimmerman, a concerned parent, expressed her frustration with the school's handling of the situation.
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Zimmerman revealed that she had been monitoring her son's messages and took immediate action by contacting the student's parent and the school.
The situation escalated further.
"He threatened to shoot our house and us. He said, 'Let's hoop, but I'm not talking about basketball,'" Zimmerman recounted the threats. "'Let's shoot,'" she added, explaining the meaning.
The next day, Zimmerman found her son preparing to protect himself.
She intervened, instructing him to stop and return upstairs. She decided he wouldn't attend school that day.
After Zimmerman contacted the school, officials discovered a knife in the student's backpack.
"I immediately informed the school, and they found the knife," she said.
Despite the incident, the school has not expelled the student, instead offering a no-contact agreement. Faubion's response stated, "We have followed PPS policy, and we will take further steps to ensure everyone's safety."
Kat Mitchell, another parent whose child was allegedly threatened, expressed her view, "Bringing a knife to school should be an automatic expulsion."
The Portland Police Bureau confirmed their awareness of the incident but noted their limited ability to disclose details due to the involvement of minors.
Faubion School assured parents that they are adhering to Portland Public Schools (PPS) policies for safety.
However, Zimmerman and other parents remain dissatisfied, criticizing the school and district for their handling of the situation.
In response to media inquiries, PPS cited federal privacy laws as the reason for not commenting on individual student records.
They provided their Student Rights and Responsibilities Protocol Handbook for reference.
Despite these assurances, Zimmerman and other parents have decided to remove their children from the school, citing safety concerns and insufficient staffing to address bullying.
Lakecia Banks, a grandmother of one of the involved students, enrolled her grandson in another school and has no plans to return him to Faubion.
She stated, "I don't feel the school has enough staff to ensure the safety and well-being of the students, and I'm concerned about bullying."
When asked about the school's response, one student suggested, "I hope they expel him and take him out of school."
Another student expressed a desire for a safer school environment, saying, "I want a place where I can feel safe."
Zimmerman emphasized her focus on the school and district's responsibility, stating, "I'm not angry at the child; I'm angry at the school and district for allowing this and not prioritizing our safety."
She encouraged parents to have open conversations with their children.
Emails, statements, and resources were shared by KATU, including responses from the Portland Police Bureau and PPS.
KATU's Avery Elowitt requested an interview with PPS to discuss the incident and safety protocols, but PPS cited legal restrictions due to federal privacy laws and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
In a follow-up, KATU asked about specific steps taken by Faubion and PPS, the protocol for parents reporting potential threats, and the handling of students who bring weapons or are threatened. PPS provided their Student Rights and Responsibilities Protocol Handbook as a reference.
