Schools brace for a memory

The fearful images of Columbine High School provoke caution on the second anniversary of the shootings.

By MELANIE AVE

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 20, 2001

TAMPA -- Today is the second anniversary of the Columbine High School shootings, and that is causing some anxiety among students, parents and school administrators.

In Hillsborough County and across the nation, schools are ready for potential problems. Some teens plan to stay home.

"We will take every precaution necessary to have a safe environment," said Hillsborough School Superintendent Earl Lennard.

School officials began hearing rumors in February of possible copycat violence. Extra law enforcement officers will be in place at some schools, but otherwise it will be just another day.

Wednesday and Thursday, letters were sent home to 39 of Hillsborough's 161 schools encouraging parents to report specific threats to authorities and to keep their children from spreading gossip.

School principals will determine whether to offer excused absences for students too afraid to attend school today, said Hart.

Today's anniversary occurs with the backdrop of a record number of bomb threats in Hillsborough schools. The 108th threat was made Thursday. No bomb was found.

Students at 11 schools recited a non-violence pledge Thursday morning as part of "Stop Day, Enough is Enough," an annual observance that began in Miami schools.

Last year's anniversary occurred when Pinellas and Hillsborough schools were on spring break. In Hernando County, however, more than a third of high school students stayed home last year.

Joanne McDaniel, acting director of the National School Safety Center, said despite the fears, the country has moved beyond Columbine.

State statistics show incidents of school crime and violence dipped to 174,338 last year from 227,872 in the 1996-97 school year.

"Schools are more aware," McDaniel said. "Parents are more involved. Students are taking more responsibility. Schools are still a safe environment. We don't want to lose sight of that."

- Staff writer Kelly Ryan contributed to this report.

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