Recurring Problem Has Parents Upset At Local Middle School
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: May 2, 2012
"It's been going on all year and last year and nothing's been improved on, security in the locker rooms," says Stacey Rhodes.
Rhodes has a son who attends Mann Middle school and had his watch stolen while he was in gym class.
According to Rhodes, this is only one of many instances of theft at the school recently.
She says, "It's happened several times of parents that I know that have told me about it and then it's happened to my own child and those parents have gone forward and nothing's done."
Another student had a pair of brand new shoes stolen at Mann Middle.
When their parent presented the issue to the principal she got an answer that left her a little confused.
Andrea Hufford recounts, "Some of our kids aren't as fortunate as others and they do want to have what other kids have. She goes, 'and I understand, that's not the way to be doing it.'"
When I contacted Abilene ISD, the principal of Mann Middle issued the following statement: "One parent has voiced a concern. Her child did not lock his items up while at P.E. and there was a theft. The incident was investigated by administration and by Mann's student resource officer."
It is not clear as to what student the principal is referring to, but Rhodes says even locking your things doesn't keep them from being stolen.
"Some of the lockers have even been, they're locked, but they've pried the bottom part open to reach, to fit their hand in, to steal items that way so you're really not secure by locking your items in your locker either," she says.
Parents are frustrated by not only the issue, but administration not handling it in a manner they think is appropriate.
Hufford says, "They need to address it during class, when they do the announcements, students we're having an issue with things being taken from the gym, the lockers, or wherever, or the classrooms."
Rhodes has a son who attends Mann Middle school and had his watch stolen while he was in gym class.
According to Rhodes, this is only one of many instances of theft at the school recently.
She says, "It's happened several times of parents that I know that have told me about it and then it's happened to my own child and those parents have gone forward and nothing's done."
Another student had a pair of brand new shoes stolen at Mann Middle.
When their parent presented the issue to the principal she got an answer that left her a little confused.
Andrea Hufford recounts, "Some of our kids aren't as fortunate as others and they do want to have what other kids have. She goes, 'and I understand, that's not the way to be doing it.'"
When I contacted Abilene ISD, the principal of Mann Middle issued the following statement: "One parent has voiced a concern. Her child did not lock his items up while at P.E. and there was a theft. The incident was investigated by administration and by Mann's student resource officer."
It is not clear as to what student the principal is referring to, but Rhodes says even locking your things doesn't keep them from being stolen.
"Some of the lockers have even been, they're locked, but they've pried the bottom part open to reach, to fit their hand in, to steal items that way so you're really not secure by locking your items in your locker either," she says.
Parents are frustrated by not only the issue, but administration not handling it in a manner they think is appropriate.
Hufford says, "They need to address it during class, when they do the announcements, students we're having an issue with things being taken from the gym, the lockers, or wherever, or the classrooms."
