When a Chester County public school teacher felt threatened by one of her students, she knew just what to do. She notified the school principle who responded by convening a Threat Assessment Team. This team determined that a ‘Transient Threat” was made, according to a report in the Daily Local News. The term Transient Threat indicates that the threat was made in frustration with no intent of harm to the classmates or teacher. The parent of the student was notified by the principal, who also notified the local police force. The police dutifully filed a report. This was all in accordance of School District Policy and Regulation 5401 that specifies that threat assessment teams must consult with local police.
The student is in kindergarten. She is six years old. She has Down Syndrome. The child was unhappy with an order by the teacher, and responded by pointing her finger and saying, “I shoot you.”
The child’s mother is understandably upset with this costly and time-wasting over-reaction on the part of the school authorities. A state Representative expressed dismay at “…a lack of judgment and accountability in interpreting state law…”. The school maintains that it was just district policy
When Libertarians describe concerns about government overreach, they are talking about things like this. The teacher involved knows that the child is very young and very vulnerable. How could anyone with intelligence or sensitivity would have perceived a threat by a six-year old’s finger being pointed at them?
But instead of attempting to understand the child and helping her through a difficult moment, school authorities and the police department became involved. Their defense? Following “Regulation 5401”. In this case, over regulation gave the teacher and administrators an excuse to avoid taking personal responsibility instead of turning a small problem into a comforting growth experience for both student and teacher. This is not how we should be running schools. This is not how we should be running anything.
Libertarians believe in taking personal responsibility instead of relying on rules that either do not apply to a situation or should not even exist in the first place. It is situations like this, both small and large, that we want to change. No one involved benefited from Regulation 5401 or the manner in which it was followed. Instead, a foolish rule made people act foolishly.
Chester County needs fewer, and more sensible laws. People should have latitude to use these rules in ways that promote personal freedoms and well-being. When we say it is time for change, these are the kind of changes we seek to promote.