Parents Outraged Threat Against Virginia School Employee Kept Quiet for a Month

Some parents of students at a Virginia elementary school are outraged about how a recent threat was handled, saying they were kept in the dark about why a sheriff’s deputy was posted at the school.

Parents of Lucketts Elementary School students began to ask questions when they noticed the deputy was assigned to the school every day.

“We were told that there is no threat and we are safe and we should be grateful we have the sheriff,” PTA President Amy Tribié said.

Parents did some investigating of their own and learned on Aug. 17 a man called the school asking for his ex-girlfriend, who worked there, and later told her by phone he was going to shoot her.

The threat was reported to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Aug. 20, and the man was arrested and charged the next day.

“When you ask them point blank is there a threat made on the place where my children are going and told no and you find out that’s lie — completely unacceptable,” Tribié said.

Parents didn't get their first email from the principal until Sept. 24. It read, in part, "This security measure was enacted, purely out of an abundance of caution, as a result of a domestic issue involving a staff member. I want to assure you Lucketts Elementary is safe.”

Then, after several parents notified the principal they'd be keeping their kids home, another email was sent, explaining, "The staff member involved in this matter is away from Lucketts Elementary.”

The man accused of the threat was acquitted, but a no trespass order remains in place barring him from Lucketts Elementary and all school grounds. The deputy will remain on site for the time being.

The PTA will vote Wednesday on a proposal to seek a schoolwide safety audit and to get a full-time school safety officer.

Loudoun School officials are still evaluating the way parents were notified and declined to comment Tuesday.