msd high school parkland

Parkland Administrators Cleared of Wrongdoing In 2018 Shooting

“Insufficient factual or legal basis” found to discipline staff members

Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School principals Ty Thompson and assistant principal Denise Reed have been cleared of wrongdoing stemming from the Feb. 14, 2018 mass shooting at the school. Following an investigation, an outside law firm found that there was “insuffient factual or legal basis” for discipline for either principal.

The investigations of Reed And Thompson were commissioned by the school district by Jennifer Ruiz, an attorney with the firm of Cole, Scott and Kissine located in Miami.

Former assistant principal Jeff Morford has received a letter of reprimand for mishandling a threat assessment of the former student identified as the alleged shooter. Morford retired last year.

Last year, former assistant principal Winfred Porter and security specialist Kelvin Greenleaf were cleared from an investigation that lasted more than a year.

Winfred Porter, a former assistant principal, and Kelvin Greenleaf, a security specialist, were cleared last fall in an investigation that had lasted since late 2018.

Thompson and Reed were notified of the decision the same week that a Broward County sheriff’s sergeant won an appeal of his firing in connection with the shooting. Sgt. Brian Miller had been accused of sitting in his car, failing to supervise deputies while the gunman murdered students inside the school. It was determined that a termination 16 months after the shooting violated his due process rights.

The school district commissioned the investigations of Reed and Thompson by lawyer Jennifer Ruiz of the firm Cole, Scott & Kissane of Miami.

“These guys didn’t do anything wrong. They were doing their jobs,” said the defendants attorney, adding that they didn’t want to comment but were relieved the ordeal is over.

The only district employees to face tough consequences related to the shooting were two low-paid campus security monitors, Andrew Medina and David Taylor, whose contracts were not renewed in June 2018.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers