Report reviewing Oxford safety procedures at time of shooting is 'imminent,' firm says
The release of an outside report examining school safety procedures and policies in place at Oxford High School in light of the November 2021 shooting is "imminent," according to the independent firm tasked by the school board with investigating the district.
The firm plans to hold multiple question-and-answer sessions on Thursday with the public about the findings in its report. The exact date for release was not specified, but the document will be shared with the public for the first time at the same time it is shared with Oxford School District's administrators and school board.
The coming report is the first of several expected from Guidepost Solutions, an investigative firm hired in May 2022 to conduct an independent review around the circumstances of the shooting, after parents and students demanded an investigation around possible security and safety shortcomings. The report will look at threat and suicide assessments, as well as physical security in the Oxford Community Schools District. Future reports will independently investigate events before, during and after the shooting, according to Guidepost.
The shooting on Nov. 30, 2021, left four students dead: Hana St. Juliana, Tate Myre, Justin Shilling and Madisyn Baldwin. Six students and a teacher were also injured in the attack.
The 15-year-old gunman, Ethan Crumbley, pleaded guilty in November to charges including first-degree murder and terrorism. He awaits sentencing.
But beyond criminal investigations, parents of victims and community members have clamored for more transparency from the district around the shooting. Many have raised concerns around troublesome signs exhibited by Crumbley in the months and weeks before the school shooting, including his graphic drawings and notes.
School policies and procedures at the time of the investigation, including emergency drills, social media monitoring and bag searches.
The shooter's history, as well as school officials' knowledge of the shooter before the event.
Whether school staff followed training and best practices in responding to the shooter's behavior before the shooting.
Security measures and emergency response during the shooting.
Support by the school district to students and staff following the shooting.
Question-and-answer sessions with Guidepost, open to the public, are scheduled for May 11 at the following times and locations:
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Oxford Township Board Room, 300 Dunlap Road, Oxford, MI 48371
3:30 p.m.-5 p.m.: Oxford Middle School Commons, 1420 Lakeville Road, Oxford, MI 48371
6:30 p,m.-8 p.m.: Oxford Middle School Cafeteria, 1420 Lakeville Road, Oxford, MI 48371
Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oxford High actions around shootings are subject of report coming soon
