How Dist. 87 decided students were not in danger in 'disturbing' incident

Administrators say they're confident an incident involving a journal found at Glenbard South High School containing "disturbing" content was handled appropriately.

Superintendent Mike Meissen said Thursday that Principal Terri Hanrahan and her staff followed proper procedures to assess the situation and determine it did not threaten student safety.

On Monday, Hanrahan received a journal found at the school from a parent concerned about its contents. Although officials would not specify what was in the notebook, they confirmed it set off discussions among mental health professionals, psychologists, district administrators and the school's police liaison.

On Tuesday morning, Hanrahan turned the notebook over to the liaison officer who shared it with DuPage County sheriff's deputies.

A message posted Tuesday on the Glen Ellyn-area school's website alluded to the notebook's contents, saying officials "have been contacting parents whose students were in the journal" and that "there was no immediate threat to the safety of any of our students or staff."

Meissen reiterated that point Thursday.

"If actions occur that would threaten the students' immediate safety or the safety of others," he said, "we would determine what's happening on a factual basis and then seek to create a situation where we held people accountable."

The school's Web posting said some students have been disciplined for the incident.

Hanrahan said she and her staff fielded calls from concerned parents Monday and Tuesday. Educators who talked to the parents tried to dispel rumors circulating in the community.

"There are more rumors out there and they grow every day," she said. "Any parents that have called have gotten a return call."

She would not say how many parents called the district. When asked to address specific rumors, Meissen said in an e-mail sent later Thursday that attorneys had advised officials not to comment because of state and federal confidentiality laws.

Meissen said the school followed the proper process in addressing possible threats. He said the first step in that process is to determine how serious the threat is and whether it can be carried out.

"It's an evaluation to first figure out what we have got," Meissen said.

He said officials then decide whether to take it to the next level and get police involved. Ultimately, Meissen said the determining factor is students' safety.

"I think that was done in this case," he said.

Among the factors considered were the students' history of violence or antisocial behavior, alcohol or drug use, interest in school, peer group participation, goals for the future and family life, among others.

Law enforcement and mental health professionals will continue to aid the school administration, Meissen said.

He said he hopes the community trusts school officials and administrators to look out for the safety of their students.

"People with the responsibility of leading children at this age group are trained professionals and leaders," he said. "They would do anything they possibly can to keep kids safe 24-7. Ultimately, that is the trust factor. People wake up each day wanting to be sure their kids are safe."