Larson School Fire: More Heat Than Light
Part 1:

According to records from the Lodi City Fire Department, on April 22, 2009, at exactly 10:04, the fire alarm rang out at Ellerth E. Larson Elementary School located at 2375 Giannoni Way Lodi, California. Simultaneously, an electronic signal was automatically sent to the Lodi Fire Department. Approximately a minute and twenty seconds later, three Lodi Fire Department trucks pulled up in front of Larson Elementary as smoke billowed out of the main building's second story.

Two on-scene eye-witnesses confirmed that within 10 seconds of the fire alarm bell going off, Larson's Principal Cheryl Nilmeyer broadcasted over the all-call system to everyone in and around the entire campus: "Everyone stay in your seat, do not leave the classroom ... this is a false alarm ... whoever pulled that alarm is in big trouble." A minute and a half later, after the fire department had already arrived, a member of the Larson School office staff broadcasted over the same all-call system in a panic-stricken voice, "This is not a false alarm ... this is not a drill ... leave your classrooms immediately." Only then, with that announcement, did over 700 students, teachers and staff begin the process of evacuating the building. Given the fearful nature of the second all-call, many of the students who poured into the hallways were screaming, yelling and running around as thick smoke continued to choke the second floor.

At some time between the first alarm and the Principal's broadcasted declaration "it's a false alarm ... stay in your seats" and the second all-call broadcast from an unidentified party who said "this is not a drill ... leave your classrooms immediately", Mr. Funge, a teacher at Larson (as reported by the Lodi News-Sentinel), "Stepped out of his classroom when he heard the alarm and smelled smoke. After walking out into the hallway he spotted flames spreading up a wall toward the ceiling." It is alleged that one of the students at Larson started the fire with a disposable lighter, however at this point, nothing more should be assumed.

Larson's Principal, Cheryl Nilmeyer, was quoted in the Sentinel as saying, "His quick thinking (Mr. Funge) saved the entire school." Adding, "The fire could have spread into the ceiling and from there could have blazed throughout the entire school." The Lodi News-Sentinel also quoted Associate Superintendent, Catherine Pennington, as stating, "The staff there was phenomenal and through the district's Connect-Ed system, all the students were picked up from school by 1:00PM." She continued, "Our maintenance staff was also able to find the same wallpaper, so it will be up and the school back in session today." Yes, this quote is accurate and correct.

As a citizen, as a concerned parent, and as an education advocate, I believe the acts and omissions expressed and implied in this school emergency generate more heat than light. I take Principal Nilmeyer at her word and agree, Mr. Funge "saved the entire school."

We may never know what could have happened "but for" Mssrs. Funge and Morgan's heroic acts and the commendable response time of the Lodi Fire Department. However, some very serious questions need to be asked and answered, such as: When is it appropriate for anyone on a public school campus to tell the students, teachers and staff to disregard a fire alarm? Is there a set Lodi Unified School District protocol regarding fire alarms and other emergencies? Were the District's fire alarm protocols followed by the Principal, Ms. Nilmeyer? If not, why not? Beyond regulations, protocols and laws, what did the top administrators know about the all these matters and when did they know it? If the top administrators were knowledgeable of these matters, why haven't they reported them to the public? Is there a cover-up?

Were the students, teachers and staff put at unnecessary risk by the Principal's override of the fire alarms? What were her motives? Should a full investigation of all these matters be undertaken by Lodi's Fire Marshall? Other questions that need to be asked and answered are: How was the alledged student-arsonist able to light this fire? ... Where was the supervision? How is it possible that the student was in the hallways, apparently alone, during STARR testing?

We will continue to update this story as events and investigations dictate. Please check back every few days for new stories and updates of recent news events like this one.

Dr. Robert K. Closson, Ed.D., Education Advocate, will be writing a series of articles exclusively for seelodi.com on the recent history of administrative decisions made by top administrators at Lodi Unified School District entitled "No Bad Administrator Left Behind." Dr. Closson's commentary will be fact-based and as even-handed as possible. Although much of what he writes will be focused on education, some topics will be strictly concerned with the health, welfare and safety of our children while attending school. If you have any questions or comments on these issues, you may call Dr. Closson's voice mail at: 916-524-9810 or you may e-mail him at: rcsmd@softcom.net