SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – We spoke anonymously with a Springfield teacher Wednesday, days after shots were fired inside a science and technology high school. Teachers detailed what they were told inside Putnam Vocational Technical Academy when violence erupted just down the street from the Cytech school. Western Mass News agreed to protect the teacher's identity, and key to our conversation was that there had been no word from district leaders about the gun that was fired Monday afternoon. .
“When the incident happened in Putnam, we didn't really know what happened until we heard the news reports later,” the teacher explained.
There was confusion and communication, or lack thereof, for some members of the Springfield Public Schools community Monday at Putnam Vocational and Technical Academy, which is located across the street from Cytech.
“Around 2:20, there was an announcement to drop the students off at their buses, but almost everyone thought it was a rumor or an exaggeration, so no one was worried at that point,'' the teacher said. added.
However, the rumors are real, as a fight broke out between a student next door and a non-student adult shortly before dismissal at Cytech University on Monday after three people butt-butted, making videos and postings on social media. The post was shared furiously. – I hurriedly pushed the school door. In the split second of the scuffle, a gunshot rang out and a window was blown out. No one was seriously injured or shot. So far, one suspect has pleaded not guilty to assault and battery charges. The gunman is still at large.
“More than 2,000 students have been expelled from school, so I was disappointed that if all the students were expelled, the shooter might be able to escape in the confusion of school expulsion,'' the teacher said. Stated.
In the days since the incident across the street from Putnam, the teacher said her conversations and communications with government officials have been reduced to a minimum.
“At this time, there has been no official announcement from any of the schools, including the superintendent, other than what he has said publicly,” the teacher said. “The only communication we got was from the principal this morning to not allow anyone into the building who does not go through the main gate.But other than that, what we know is from what we have heard from the students. We were limited to what we heard and what we heard from the media. ”
Now that I think about it, this is what my teacher thought.
“I think it would have been a better decision even if we were asked to wait another 10 minutes to understand what was going on to make the overall layoff and decision, but what could have been done differently? It's easy to say, 'But maybe it's better than no communication at all,' the teacher added.
We reached out to the school district for comment, but were told they could not because the investigation into the incident is ongoing. The teacher added that the only email she received regarding the incident was the same one released by the district.
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