Lowell Mayor Dan Rourke issued a statement on Facebook this evening regarding an incident at Lowell High School that was the topic of conversation on local radio Wednesday and Thursday mornings, as well as the topic of a WHDH-TV Boston (Ch. 7) report.
Lowell School Superintendent, Liam Skinner, pushed back on the radio chatter during an appearance on 980WCAP-AM this morning, calling it inaccurate. Skinner was referring to a discussion between Morning Show Hosts Gerry Nutter and Casey Crane that took place during Wednesday morning’s show, in which Crane indicated there was a fight at Lowell High School involving between 50-100 kids that had gone unreported.
The Channel 7 report, while not citing the number of students involved, did mention the altercation as part of a story on a School Committee motion to have an outside firm do a safety assessment of Lowell Schools.
Below is the statement from Mayor Rourke, as published on his official FB page:
“As Mayor, I take reports of any safety issues regarding Lowell High School and all the city’s schools very seriously. The well-being of our students and staff is paramount to all Lowell’s residents, as well as to all of us on the School Committee and City Council.
As such, I wish to clarify erroneous reporting regarding a recent altercation at the high school. There were not 50-100 students involved in a ‘fight,’ as reported. The isolated incident involved fewer than a handful of students, and while there were minor injuries suffered by staff in breaking up the altercation, the situation was quickly brought under control and dealt with administratively.
I would like to assure every parent or guardian that we continue to work with students, staff, and the proper authorities to create and maintain a safe and welcoming learning environment for all.
Lowell Public Schools are a jewel of our city, where the community’s most important resources, its children, develop into future leaders and professionals. We must continue to support them in every way possible, which includes pushing back against false narratives that portray them or our educational facilities in a negative light.”
When contacted for comment by InsideLowell, Crane said “her discussion of the events on the radio are being taken out of context and reported inaccurately.”
Crane adds “I sill believe a letter should have gone home to parents, because as I said on Wednesday, at least three people including a teacher contacted me, and I reported accurately what they said because they hadn’t had any communication from the administration.”
Crane plans to issue further statement in the comings days.
For his part, Superintendent Skinner said “the mayor reminds me of the need for, and the value of, leadership. I believe he’s responded to disparaging misinformation with a model of powerful – and for me, inspiring – leadership.”
7 responses to “Mayor Rourke Statement on High School News Reports”
Casey Crane is a fraud!!
Crane adds “I sill believe a letter should have gone home to parents, because as I said on Wednesday, at least three people including a teacher contacted me, and I reported accurately what they said because they hadn’t had any communication from the administration.”
That’s called “spreading rumors,” and it’s what people in media lacking in ethical development do promote themselves.
An administrator had to go to the hospital and get stiches, is that normal?
Is that a minor incident – why do we want to give the impression this is no big deal and exaggerated? I know when I went to school we respected administration, teachers, as we as any elder person- why can’t we talk about this and bring the reality that these students hurt an administrator – does the school press charges? Or is it just accepted? Administration says this is just minor no big deal.
Meant as well as any elder person.
They should have told me what happened so I wouldn’t have to make a bunch of shit up😂😂.
This might be the best thing I’ve ever heard from someone in the press.
I was listening to WCAP that morning. Her words were not taken out of context. She repeated multiple times as she usually does) that the brawl had 50-100 students involved. Own your words and be professional.