SAFETY CONCERNS RISE AT GOVERNOR MIFFLIN AFTER SERIES OF WEAPON-RELATED INCIDENTS

A review of Governor Mifflin’s August 28, September 1 and September 28 safety incidents separates reports from discoveries and examines parent communication.

Editor’s Note: Sorry this story took longer to publish. It took time to confirm what actually happened on September 28 and make sure everything here was accurate. SHILLINGTON, PA — Governor Mifflin is facing renewed questions about school safety and communication following a series of weapon-related incidents and reports since the beginning of the school year. But it is important to separate what was reported from what was actually found . On August 28, a report of a gun at the Governor Mifflin football game led to the evacuation of the stadium. Police searched the student identified in the report and searched the stadium, but no weapon was found . Then, on September 1, two minors who were not Governor Mifflin students were found on district property with an airsoft gun and several kitchen knives. Now, another incident involving an airsoft gun on September 28 has raised more questions among parents. Incident #1 — August 28: A Gun Was Reported, But None Was Found The first incident happened during the Governor Mifflin–Wilson football game on August 28. A fight was reported behind the scoreboard. At roughly the same time, students began running and yelling that someone had a gun. The report triggered a major response. The game was stopped, the stadium was evacuated and law enforcement searched the student who had reportedly been identified as having a weapon. No weapon was found on that student. No weapon was found in the stadium. District officials later said the weapon report could not be substantiated. That distinction matters. It was a serious report of a possible gun , but it was not a case where a gun was discovered. Incident #2 — September 1: Airsoft Gun and Knives Found Just days later, on September 1, another safety incident occurred on district property. Two minors who were not Governor Mifflin students were stopped near the transportation building at the Governor Mifflin Intermediate School campus. Authorities searched them and found an airsoft gun and several kitchen knives . The two were taken into custody, and the matter became a police investigation. The timing of the two incidents understandably raised concerns among families. Incident #3 — September 28: Another Airsoft Gun Found Then came September 28. An airsoft gun was found at Governor Mifflin High School . For parents, this was another serious concern because it was now another incident involving an object that could be mistaken for a real firearm. But the questions did not stop with what was found. They also involved how the district communicated what happened. But What Actually Happened? Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hess sent an email to families the following day, September 29 . From what I can see, however, the message does not give a full account of what actually happened on September 28. The communication discusses the seriousness of weapons and lookalike weapons, the district's rules and the steps the district says it plans to take. But parents looking for a basic timeline of the incident are left with questions. What happened? When was the airsoft gun discovered? Where was it found? Who reported it? Was the school placed under any type of heightened security? Were police contacted? Were students or staff ever in danger? And perhaps most importantly: Why did parents have to hear information from other parents and social media before receiving an official explanation? Those are not unreasonable questions. When an object resembling a firearm is discovered inside a high school, parents should not have to piece together what happened from rumors, Facebook posts or conversations with their children. The district has a responsibility to protect student privacy and avoid releasing information that could interfere with an investigation. But there is also a difference between protecting private information and giving families a basic account of what happened. Parents deserve to know the difference. Why Lookalike Weapons Still Matter An airsoft gun may not be a conventional firearm, but that does not mean the situation should be ignored. From a distance, students, teachers or police officers may not immediately know whether an object is real or an imitation. That can create a dangerous situation. The district has therefore emphasized the seriousness of bringing weapons or lookalike weapons onto school property. The District Says It Is Taking Action Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hess has told families that the district is taking these incidents seriously. The district's Code of Conduct treats weapons and weapon lookalikes as serious disciplinary matters, with possible consequences including: Out-of-school suspension Expulsion Alternative school placement Police involvement The district also says it is taking additional steps, including: Grade-level assemblies reviewing weapon rules and consequences Student advisory groups to better understand how these items are entering school property Parent Safety Night scheduled for October 29, 2026 Security policy review to examine entry procedures Parents Are Also Being Asked to Help The district is asking parents to take an active role in preventing these situations. Families are being encouraged to: Secure airsoft guns, BB guns, pellet guns, fireworks and other lookalike weapons Check backpacks, sports bags, lunchboxes and vehicles Talk with students about the consequences of bringing these items to school Encourage students to report concerns through Safe2Say Something The Questions Parents Still Have From what I can see, the issue is now bigger than any single incident. The August 28 report resulted in an evacuation, but no weapon was found . The September 1 incident resulted in an airsoft gun and knives actually being found on district property. Then, on September 28, another airsoft gun was found at the high school. That sequence is enough to make parents ask questions. How are these items getting onto school property? Are current security procedures working? How quickly should parents be notified when an object resembling a firearm is discovered? And why wasn't there a clearer explanation of what happened on September 28? Those are reasonable questions for parents, school administrators, law enforcement and the school board. The goal should not be to create unnecessary fear. It should be to make sure students, staff and families know what happened, understand how the district responded and know what is being done to prevent another incident. The Mifflin Report will continue following the district's safety policies, the October 29 Parent Safety Night and upcoming school-board discussions.