By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — In the wake of a knife incident at Houlton High School last week, school officials are in the process of reviewing safety procedures.
On May 28, a 15-year-old female student at Houlton High School reportedly brandished a tactical knife in a classroom and lunged at a fellow student. Teacher Tim Tweedie intervened and with the help of fellow teacher Rob Kinens and principal Marty Bouchard, they were able to convince the student to drop the weapon.
Tweedie suffered bite marks to his hands while trying to get the student to drop the knife, but was otherwise unharmed. No students were injured in the incident.
According to Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin, the student will be charged with two counts of assault and criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.
RSU 29 Superintendent Mike Hammer said there was a vast amount of misinformation circulating in the public and on the social networking site “Facebook.”
“We do have our cameras up and running,” he said. “We have made a concerted effort in this district to increase safety measures for our students.”
The district recently installed video monitors at Houlton Elementary and Southside schools and now have automatic door locks on those buildings. Any person wishing to enter those schools during school hours can only be allowed in by someone in the front office.
Hammer said installing a similar door-locking system at the high school would be extremely costly as there are numerous doors for students to enter the building. Multiple doors are located at the front and rear of the school.
The school has not yet broached the issue of using metal detectors, nor has any parent called the superintendent’s office asking the district to consider them, Hammer said.
“I think where we are going to go with all of this is to meet with our students, especially those who may be at-risk, and listen to what they have to say,” Hammer said.
In addition, at Houlton Southside School, Hammer said plans are in the works to begin a “restorative justice” program aimed at improving students’ communication skills so they can better resolve situations or notify an adult of their problem.
Hammer said there was no indication that this particular incident was the direct result of any bullying on that day, but added he was still gathering information on the matter.
“I’ve spoken to the teacher involved and on that day, no, I don’t think it was about bullying,” Hammer said. “We are trying to get students to be better advocates for themselves and to treat each other better.”
The high school was not placed in “lockdown” but rather “secure in rooms” mode. Hammer explained the difference between the two was significant. When in “secure in rooms” mode classes continue as they normally would, while “lockdown,” means the school is facing an unknown threat. An “Alert Now” message was also sent to all of the parents on the day of the incident to inform them of the developing situation.
Hammer added the district plans to continue to review its anti-bullying efforts.
