Student journal details boil down to matter of trust

There's a huge gap between what we've been officially told and what we've unofficially heard.

The writings in a student journal at Glenbard South High School was deemed enough of a threat to prompt administrators to conduct student interviews, seek council from mental health professionals, guidance counselors and the school's police liaison.

But ultimately, Glenbard High School District 87 decided students and staff were not in danger. Contents of the journal were described only as "disturbing," and beyond that, the district is providing no further details. Administrators have, however, characterized rumors about the journal as being the product of a decided few in the community and as untrue and "salacious."

We first heard of the journal from a distraught woman identifying herself as a mother of a Glenbard South student. She called DuPage City Editor Bob Smith on Tuesday morning, tearfully describing how her child and others were threatened. She also provided what may have been some of those salacious details.

She did not give her name, did not provide a number to contact her again, but said she and other parents were sufficiently concerned about the situation and the school's reaction to it, that they were contacting us and other media for help.

We set about trying to bridge the gap between the thin explanation the district gave us and the unsubstantiated rumors. Reporter Marco Santana made numerous efforts, talked to students, community leaders, opinion leaders. Anne Halston, our opinion page editor, set up a phone meeting Thursday with Superintendent Mike Meissen, Glenbard South Principal Terri Hanrahan, District 87 spokeswoman Peg Mannion and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Rod Molek. Representing the Daily Herald were Halston, Santana, Smith and yours truly.

Each side explained its position. Meissen repeatedly said the safety of students is the district's utmost concern and that the focus of its efforts have been to determine if there was a real threat and if anyone had the wherewithal to carry it out.

But the rumors have been rampant "and growing every day," Hanrahan acknowledged.

Then why not just divulge the contents of the journal and let the public see, I asked.

Students' privacy rights, was the answer; not just philosophical ones, but legal ones.

The fact that we would not name the student or students who penned the journal did not sway the administrators.

Halston attempted to approach this from another angle. Can you tell us which of the rumors we've heard are untrue, she asked. Meissen said a call to the district's lawyer might be in order before proceeding in that vein.

A few hours later, he contacted us via e-mail, saying their attorney advised that state and federal confidentiality laws prevent the district from providing additional details about the journal.

I guess the story stops there unless some new information develops; we're not in the business of printing unsubstantiated, anonymous rumors.

One other point seemed to be key with the school officials: Ultimately, it boils down to trust. Parents have to trust that the people they've entrusted with the safety of their children are making wise decision to ensure that happens.

And, for now, that's the best we can give you.