Superintendent on 5/26 district-wide lockout
Dear OCSD family and community,
I am writing to provide information regarding the lockout that occurred across all district buildings today.
Earlier today district officials received a report from a staff member that an outsider had allegedly attempted to gain access to Oswego High School. Per our safety protocols, we immediately enacted our lockout procedures across the district where instruction continued but there was no building access from the outside.
To add to this, an immediate response was initiated by both city police and the Sheriff’s department along with U.S. Border Patrol Agents. As a part of this response an extensive search was completed but responding units were unable to locate the individual reported.
For several more hours, Oswego Police officers, working in conjunction with the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Oswego City School District continued to investigate this matter. After doing so, it was determined that the report of the attempted entry was false.
Given this information, an Oswego CSD staff member was arrested by the Oswego Police Department and charged as of this evening with Falsely Reporting an Incident and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Again, given the justifiable anxiety and concern by many parents, students and staff over recent events involving schools, I believe it is important to state unequivocally that at no time did the reported incident involve any concern about any type of weapon or violence, nor did the reported issue rise to the level of any other type of physical threat to the school, our students, or the surrounding community.
Please also know, the District unfortunately is unable to give any further details at this time as the matter does involve a confidential personnel matter upon which the District is legally barred from commenting.
I want to thank the Oswego Police Department, Sheriff’s Department and Border Patrol for their rapid response and partnership while investigating this matter so quickly. Their collaborative efforts continue to keep our students, staff and community safe each day in our schools.
Yours in Education,
Dr. Mathis Calvin III
Superintendent of Schools