Last Friday I sent an e-mail to new Franklin superintendent Bennin. Here’s an edited portion of my e-mail:

1) This past Tuesday our family received an e-mail from FPS at exactly 12 noon. The message from Mrs. Bennin read in part:

“On Monday, July 25th, at approximately 4:08 PM a man drove onto the Franklin High School campus and entered Franklin High School. To our knowledge, this individual is not connected to any summer programs that are taking place at FHS. A student who was at the high school reported that the man made inappropriate comments. This situation has been reported to the Franklin Police Department.”

My question is: Why did it take nearly 20 hours for this notification to be distributed? When a school holds a fire drill for example we’re notified immediately. Seems an incident of this serious nature should have been brought to parents’ attention much sooner.

2) There’s been some discussion in the community that school doors are not or have not been locked during summer programs. Is this true? If so, why?

Thank you for your attention and I hope quick response.

Bennin’s answers came today:

Hello Mr. Fischer,

Thank you for reaching out with your questions.  I have responded to your questions below.  I appreciate your continued support for Franklin Public Schools.  

My question is: Why did it take nearly 20 hours for this notification to be distributed? When a school holds a fire drill for example we’re notified immediately. Seems an incident of this serious nature should have been brought to parents’ attention much sooner.

1) In the case of this incident, it was not reported directly to the police or school officials at the time it took place.  The incident was reported Tuesday to school officials which then led to appropriate next steps for reporting with the Franklin Police Department and communicating to families. Fire drills are very different in nature as they are scheduled and therefore communication is pre-planned.  

2) The doors were locked when our Summer Learning Program (i.e. summer school) was in session Monday-Thursday from June 20th to July 21st.  In this particular case on Monday, July 25th around 4pm in the afternoon, there were community events occurring at FHS which is why the doors at that entrance were unlocked at that time.  The district continues to examine how we control access to the building. 

Thank you,

Annalee Bennin

I’m quite satisfied with these answers.