Gary North

Feb. 11, 2010

Parents of 100 high school students pulled them out for a day when the students sent text messages about the threat of violence. The story is here.

Then the parents sent them back. Why?

The police have stepped up security in five high schools.

Stacy Hunter, father of a North sophomore, said he took his daughter home at midday. He was surprised to see several police cruisers at the school.

Hunter said he'd heard rumors that something was supposed to happen at North. There were text messages saying North students should "watch their backs" and "please be careful," he said.

"Upon seeing those, I thought I made the right choice," Hunter said, adding a regret: "My daughter needs to be in school and needs to get her education."

This is the attitude of most parents: a student must be in school to get an education.

Students do get a real education in school. But what kind of education?

Police said they are investigating whether much of the recent rash of violence is gang-related -- and specifically whether the fatal shootings of a 19-year-old on Saturday and a 15-year-old on Monday might be related.

I can see why.

Last week, a Millard South student was accused of using a stun gun on a school administrator during a fight.

An Omaha North student who told police he was a gang member was charged with trying to bring a shotgun to the school in a duffel bag. He told investigators that he brought the gun for protection against members of rival gangs.

And so it goes in community after community.

Your tax dollars at work.