JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Community members are demanding accountability after board member and second Vice President Erin Kenworthy said school safety is a “privilege” during the district’s first meeting since the shooting at Evergreen High School, where two students were shot and critically injured.
Parents and community members, some of whom had children running for their lives and others who lost children in past school shootings, had just shared their stories. Then Kenworthy made this comment.
“We just cannot guarantee it. We can do everything we can to support it, but I wanted to say that because safety absolutely is a privilege,” said Kenworthy. “Feeling safe is a privilege.”
Lindsay Datko with Jeffco Kids First said, “It was maybe among one of the worst things that could be said in that moment at the first board meeting after the shooting.”
Datko says the comment undermined healing and problem-solving for the community, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the Evergreen shooting.
Parents want clear solutions to prevent future tragedies.
“The Evergreen community has been so strong, but immediately, they wanted to start finding answers and solutions. Parents were driving their children’s routes; said they saw shoes strewn on the side of the street,” said Datko. “I think the community moves ahead a little faster than those who are affected, and I think we need to slow down and continue to grieve with them, and Miss Kenworthy definitely affected that process.”
Community members are calling for a layered approach to safety: School resource officers, metal detectors and no gaps in security.
One Evergreen student put it bluntly at the board meeting: Would you rather walk through a metal detector or run for your life?
“We got together with Evergreen’s parents and community members in Evergreen to really dig into the holes in the gaps from the Evergreen tragedy, whether it was why an SRO was lacking. Why, how long it took to arrive,” Datko said. “One question that has gone unanswered is, how did the shooter have access to a firearm? I think that’s the most pressing remaining question on people’s minds, and that needs to be answered.”
Advocates say the community must hold the board accountable through emails, meetings and public input, making safety a priority.
“For her to make that comment in response to those who have one opportunity to face the board at these monthly meetings was really appalling,” said Datko. “Quite honestly, state law uses the word duty, that the board has the duty to protect students. So, it is really an expectation and a responsibility.”
FOX31 reached out to Kenworthy; she said she would be free after 3 p.m. on Friday and was working on a statement, but we have not yet heard back.
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