A Chatham-Kent (CK) parent is calling out his son's school over its handling of death threats being made.
Josh Huebschwerlen's 13-year-old son, whose name is being withheld, attends Harwich Raleigh Public School in Blenheim.
On March 9, his son was on a group chat with other students when one told him that he was going to bring a knife to school and kill him. Another student on the call had decided to record the call after the student, who would go on to make the threat, started using racial slurs.
Huebschwerlen told CK News Today that he called CK police, who visited the school and spoke to the student in question. Police confirmed to CK News Today that they visited the school but wouldn't share any other details.
Huebschwerlen, his wife, and son then went to the school where they spoke with the principal. He explained that he wanted to talk to his son's teacher, but the principal refused.
"I said you have a student in this school who is threatening to stab and kill another student, and you won't disrupt a class," said Huebschwerlen.
Shortly afterward, he claimed he was told to leave, as he made the principal feel unsafe.
Huebschwerlen later found out that the student who made the threat was still attending school, and little to no repercussions had happened. While he didn't want the book thrown at the student, he did want some action taken.
"I want children to be safe. If that means this child has to go to another school [okay]," he explained.
Huebschwerlen was also told by his son that the student had told others on the school bus that he planned on beating up the student who recorded the video call. After learning this, he stated he visited the school again to talk to the principal.
He noted the meeting ended the same way as the first, with the principal ending the conversation over concerns she had with him.
During this ordeal, Huebschwerlen claimed he spoke with the superintendent of the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB). He was told that they would look into the situation, but would most likely have an update after March Break.
Huebschwerlen planned to wait for the update, but was recently given a trespassing order at Harwich Raleigh Public School.
"I've been trespassed as a concerned parent because I'm making the principal do her job," he explained.
He said he was very stern when speaking with the principal, but never raised his voice or used vulgar language.
The trespassing order also led him to post about the entire situation on a Facebook group page. Since doing so, he stated he's heard from parents of students at Harwich Raleigh Public School who've also had concerns about a lack of repercussions.
Overall, the experience has led him to lose faith in the school's leadership, specifically the principal.
"She needs to find a new profession," Huebschwerlen bluntly said.
Along with the superintendent, Huebschwerlen has spoken with a Trustee on the LKDSB's Board and has reached out to the Ontario Ministry of Education. He's hoping that anyone with similar issues does the same, so these situations don't happen again.
CK News Today reached out to LKDSB, and while it wouldn't share details about the specific situation involving Huebschwerlen's son, the school board explained that it takes each situation seriously.
"When concerns are raised involving student behaviour or potential threats, we follow all applicable Board policies, procedures, and legislative requirements. Please be assured that the safety and well‑being of students and staff is always the Board’s highest priority," read a statement.
When it came to Huebschwerlen's trespassing order, the statement mentioned that a principal has the duty to refuse to admit any person whose presence, in their opinion, could be detrimental to the physical or mental well‑being of students.
