School Attendance Inches Back Up Since Violent Threats

Attendance at Ventura County schools moved closer to normal Monday, as teachers and administrators tried to get their schools back on track after a spate of violent threats last week.

Ventura Unified Supt. Joseph Spirito said the absence rate in his district’s schools was slightly higher than usual, but that it didn’t compare to Friday, when nearly 25% of the high school students didn’t show up. Eric Ortega, assistant superintendent for the Oxnard Union High School District, said low attendance was not a concern Monday.

And Conejo Valley Unified School District Assistant Supt. Richard Simpson, who reported that absence rates were between 40% and 50% at the district’s three high schools Friday, said that attendance was back up Monday. But Verna Mandel, attendance clerk for the district, said absence rates Friday weren’t as high as originally estimated.

“I don’t think the whole thing had an impact on attendance as everyone anticipated on Friday morning,” Mandel said.

About a dozen incidents throughout the county prompted many parents to keep their students home Friday.

In an effort to ease tensions, schools this week are holding public forums, increasing security and reevaluating disaster plans. But it hasn’t been easy, particularly for parents and students. At a time when students should be planning for the prom and studying for finals, many remain concerned about threats of violence on campus.

On Monday, another bomb scare, at Ventura High, forced students to evacuate briefly. Spirito said students who make false bomb threats could face severe disciplinary action.

No other threats were reported at schools throughout the county Monday, but principals are continuing to be vigilant.

“It will take more than a day or two to see if we are there yet, but the best thing that could have happened to let things breathe was the weekend,” Hueneme High School Principal Roger Rice said. “Last week was really hectic.”

Problems began last Wednesday, when Moorpark High School was evacuated after someone called in a bomb threat. The same day, a former Fillmore High School student was arrested for making a false bomb threat at a middle school. Police also received calls that students at both Oxnard and Hueneme high schools were carrying loaded guns. In each case, the threat was unfounded.

Tensions continued on Thursday, when two students were arrested. A 15-year-old Newbury Park High School student was jailed on suspicion of posting an Internet hit list containing the names of the principal, a teacher and several students. The student subsequently apologized and said he meant it as a prank.

And Jose Carlos Herrera, an 18-year-old Hueneme High senior, was arrested on suspicion of possessing explosive devices and bomb-making materials. Police said they found about eight homemade pipe bombs in Herrera’s home, forcing the evacuation about 200 residents. Herrera pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon and remains in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

The week ended with the evacuation of two Ventura campuses after anonymous callers said bombs would explode at Balboa Middle School and Buena High School. Sheriff’s deputies also went to Rio Mesa High in Oxnard in response to a phone call warning of a bomb. Police officers inspected the grounds at all three schools, but didn’t find anything.

“Eventually, things will get back to normal,” Spirito said. “The heightened awareness and concerns are there, but I’m trying to help parents understand that their kids really are safer in school than anywhere else.”

Spirito is meeting with Ventura principals today to discuss security plans. He is also encouraging administrators to reach out to parents and tell them what schools are doing to protect students. And at the district’s May 11 board meeting, trustees plan to discuss school safety.

Meanwhile, Moorpark High Principal Max Friedman held a roundtable discussion Monday night to discuss school safety with parents and students. Hueneme High in Oxnard is also holding a student forum Wednesday.

“Last week parents were concerned and kids were concerned,” Friedman said. “There were so many rumors going on that we couldn’t squelch all of them.”

Police have stepped up their presence at schools in Simi Valley, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks. And Thousand Oaks and Moorpark authorities started hotlines so parents could call for information on last week’s incidents.

Senior Deputy Ed Tumbleson said the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department established the hotlines to help dispel rumors. Last week, the department created a 12-member task force to track down rumors of threats. Though nothing was substantiated, he said the department will continue to investigate any leads. He said he fielded calls from almost 90 parents throughout the week.

He said that parents need to work past their fears that schools are dangerous, and they should realize that safety is a priority for both school and law enforcement officials.

But that doesn’t stop parent Cheryl Burton from worrying about her children, who attend public schools in Simi Valley.

“There is always a fear that there will be children on the edge and becoming copy-catters,” Burton said. “I do have concerns, and I think they’re more heightened now.”