Parents outraged about delayed notification after bullets were found at Patchogue-Medford HS

In Dr. Jones' statement released on Monday, the superintendent also told parents that while Suffolk County police investigate, a police presence will remain at the high school.

News 12 Staff

Dec 19, 2022, 10:23 AM

Updated 631 days ago

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Parents, teachers and members of the community came to Monday's Patchogue-Medford School District meeting to directly tell board members that they are enraged about what they call a lack of transparency regarding bullets that were found at the district's high school.
A foil packet with 19 bullets was found Friday in one of the vestibule entrances to the high school. Parents and students tell News 12 they learned about the discovery on Sunday.
"I know it's just bullets but you don't know and these are the questions that are running my head - is there a gun hiding in the school, are there more weapons somewhere else," said Sharon Raye.
Raye created a Change.org petition on Monday calling for Dr. Donna Jones to be removed as superintendent because of how the incident is being handled.
One parent also told News 12 that she has safety concerns and might not send her daughter to school on Tuesday.
The superintendent said she could not answer any questions at the meeting because of the ongoing police investigation. Dr. Jones also said that the district attorney's office is investigating the incident.
"It is an open investigation that I would like to be able to express and relieve some of your anxiety, but not compromise the investigation," Jones said.
Dr. Jones sent a statement to parents earlier Monday reading in part, "During the investigation, video footage from the high school was reviewed and may have identified a person of interest. The video footage and all other evidence have been shared with the Suffolk County Police Department. We have been in constant communication with the police department and have restricted the person of interest's access to all district property while the matter is further investigated."
In Dr. Jones' statement, the superintendent also told parents that while Suffolk County police investigate, a police presence will remain at the high school.
Police say there does not appear to be a credible threat at this time but an investigation is ongoing.
The district attorney's office would not confirm or deny if they are part of the investigation.