Last week’s Newport school committee meeting has left myself, my neighbors, and local parents deeply disturbed. While at the heart of this, is the comment made by Mr. Leary, stating that he would bring his gun with him to the meetings and that he has a license to carry, we are further upset by the response (or lack thereof) by other committee members.
As an educator myself, I know the seriousness of making such a comment. I have been part of numerous lock down drills and have comforted children who are scared that these drills are real and someone is going to harm them. It is a tragedy that we are now one of many states touched by gun violence in a school setting.
I am further disturbed, outraged, and furious to name a few of my feelings, when I heard Mr. Leary’s response to a local news reporter that his comment is “not a big deal”. To think that a school committee member thinks that it’s “not a big deal,” to make a comment about bringing a gun onto school property is outrageous. I don’t know what rock Mr. Leary is living under, but if he does not resign, I certainly hope that he is removed from the committee and has no further involvement with Newport schools or any other district for that matter.
Additionally, in watching and listening to playback, it appears that one or two members chuckle. That is not an appropriate response and sends a message that comments about bringing weapons to school are not to be taken seriously. School committee members should have immediately rebuked Mr. Leary. When the reporter asked for a statement, committee members referred the reporter to the district lawyer.
As a parent and community member, I would like to see a statement from school committee members regarding this incident, not a district lawyer who stated, “… (because he knows Mr. Leary) it was not serious,” …perhaps the district needs a new lawyer, under no circumstance is that kind of comment “not serious.”
To think that not one member could simply state to the media and public that it is not EVER appropriate to state/joke about bringing a weapon onto school property, is deeply upsetting.
Parents of Newport public school students should be given an explanation of the disciplinary action that needs to be taken against Mr. Leary.
Elizabeth Payne
Newport, RI
