Elmbrook Elementary Emergency Spurs Two Staff Resignations

What was labeled a "prank" concerned parents of Swanson students, especially given the unequal response to a "racist" video made off campus earlier.

An emergency hold occurred at Swanson Elementary on 11/21/22. Police were called, and parents of Swanson students report that it was based on a threat made from a child.

Two special education staff members at Swanson resigned shortly thereafter; this event was the last straw for them according to community members.

Swanson leadership sent a follow up the next day saying this incident was a “prank.”

In contrast to the incident at Swanson, in January 2022 Superintendent Mark Hansen publicized a video that was made off campus by students and was posted on social media. This video contained an alleged “racist” act. Mark Hansen said he was “disturbed by its content” and created his own video response.

Community members have heard that this incident with high schoolers involved friends making jokes in poor taste. Mark Hansen said that “those responsible will be held accountable" and community members have heard one student was expelled.

Will District senior leadership investigate the “prank” that impacted elementary students and involved police presence in the same way they did with the social media content? Will they hold those responsible accountable? Will they investigate why this incident was so impactful that two staff members resigned shortly thereafter? As of right now, it appears not.