Accomack’s superintendent is responding to reports of a lack of cooperation with local law enforcement

By Dr. Rhonda Hall

I am writing to you to clarify some misinformation that has been leaked to the media indicating that I have not cooperated with local law enforcement regarding a threat. First and foremost, the safety of Accomack County Public Schools students, staff and families is one of my top priorities. During my first year as superintendent, I had metal detectors installed in all K-12 schools so that every child had to go through the metal detectors and have their bags checked every day. By the end of October, there will be two school safety officers in every building. This provides another level of safety and security for our students and staff. The front entrance doors are secured by an SSO throughout the day. Everyone entering the building will be screened through metal detectors and their personal belongings that they bring into the building will be checked. All administrators in each building were trained to conduct a threat assessment in accordance with the VA. Code trained and have the knowledge to determine when and for whom the threat assessment should be performed. All procedures and protocols are followed in the event of any threat.

Regarding the incident that occurred on Monday, September 16, 2024, there is a lot of misinformation being reported about what happened. First, there was NO THREAT. In my effort to be transparent, below is a summary of what happened. On Friday, September 13, 2024, two female students had a heated discussion at a Friday night soccer game. The high school principal noticed that a student was upset and addressed the situation. Two other students observing the interaction were chatting among themselves. One of the students watching made the comment that the brother of one of the girls who were arguing was supposedly in a gang and that he might be coming to shoot up the school. One of the girls shared the same statement with another student, who told his mother. The mother contacted a teacher via Facebook on Monday morning, September 16, 2024, telling him that there might be a shooting at school. Once the teacher received the message, the teacher and administrator attempted to reach the mother, who entered the building while attempting to reach her by phone. The student was immediately interviewed by the principal and his deputy principal in the presence of his mother. Two deputies sent to the school were also in the room and witnessed the interview. The same procedure was used at the high school, with the SRO present at the interview with the brothers of the arguing young ladies. It was concluded that there was NO THREAT. This investigation was the result of an uncomfortable conversation and false assumptions on the part of two students who were not involved at all.

When the Student Support Services Coordinator contacted me about the incident, I tried to be proactive because I know how children spread rumors. I contacted the sheriff and, given the threats across Virginia, asked if officers who were near the schools could drive through the parking lots to create the impression that police were monitoring the schools. I never asked for an investigation to be carried out as it had already been completed. I’m sorry for the misinformation you gave
The information disseminated through formal and informal media so far may have led you to believe that I would not adhere to Department of Education safety regulations.

When I was contacted by the State Commissioner and informed that the Accomack County Sheriff had contacted the Senator, who contacted the Attorney General and claimed that I had interfered in a threat investigation, I was devastated. The last thing I want is for citizens across Virginia to think that I am not making every effort to provide a safe learning environment for the students, staff and families of Accomack County Public Schools. I admit that I was not aware that the Memorandum of Understanding between ACPS and the Sheriff’s Office was supposed to be on our website. That has never been the case. However, when I found out, I immediately had it published on our website.

I’m sorry again for all the good things happening at ACPS like the new Criminal Justice Program, the first NNDCC/JNROTC program, all schools with attendance accreditation, and soon two school safety officers to help create a safe learning environment every building, to list a few; that this isolated case overshadows everything that was good.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards for the best training,

Rhonda A. Hall, Head of the PhD Department