DUNCAN — The main objective of any school is to educate its students. Safety is one of the pillars necessary to uphold a good education for every student at any given school. The same is true for Duncan Public Schools.

As if securing the safety of more than 900 students at Duncan High School alone wasn’t challenging enough, DPS Superintendent Dr. Sherry Labyer and all of DPS were forced to do so without federal aid. Labyer said the federal government “zeroed out” DPS’ Title IV money. Title IV money is used to help provide a safe and drug free school. The money goes to provide a resource officer to the school.

“We get nothing for this school year,” Labyer said. “We were very disappointed and upset with the budget cut.”

Determined to provide the safest environment within her grasp, Labyer decided DPS would bear the financial burden of the resource officer. “I understand the importance of that presence on our campus,” she said.

In dealing with rumors, threats or rumors of threats, Labyer said the job of the educators becomes more difficult.

“You can’t just kick a kid out of school at the drop of a hat,” she said. “We are charged with educating students. It’s a really fine line. We are here to give students every opportunity to be educated. It takes a great deal of discernment when it comes to the education of a child.”

Labyer and the entire school board places disciplinary responsibility with its building principals throughout the district.

“Our principals are not second-guessed, but, they have to follow the law, too,” she said. If a threat is made by a student or parent, it constitutes an act of terrorism, “that’s a felony,” she said.

“We don’t take anything lightly,” Labyer said. “We investigate it the minute we hear about it. What do you do about rumors? You have to filter through them. The school and law enforcement have to act on facts. We are vigilant of rumors, but you can’t act on them.”

One option, Labyer said, that is always available when it comes to dealing with rumors is increasing security.

“We always have at least two police officers on or around campus,” Labyer said. “We can have increased security as long as we need it. We have a great partnership with law enforcement.”

With the sheer volume of students enrolled in DHS, the chances that some of the students are facing criminal charges is high. In dealing with such situations, Labyer said the presumption of innocence isn’t merely a catchy phrase. Rather, it is the key tenant to the American judicial system that must be adhered to.

“If a person is charged with a crime, they’re innocent until proven guilty,” she said. “To be charged and convicted are two different things. We as a society may be frustrated with the courses of law. We are still charged with following the law.”

Labyer said even with a pending criminal case, a student has the right to be in school.

“Oklahoma law clearly says a school can’t discipline or suspend a student for a crime that is not committed on school grounds,” she said. “If parents or community members want to change that, they need to get involved in the legislative process.”

Labyer quoted Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, she said the first stage of development is safety. “Everything we do, safety is part of the plan,” she said.

“The way I look at things is that we, as a society, often react to the snapshot,” she said. “It is up to us to look at the big picture. Snap shots don’t tell the whole story.”



— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.