Experts say internal emails show Robbinsdale schools need safety improvements

After three separate gun-related incidents in Robbinsdale Area Schools, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS obtained emails which indicate the district was warned about security problems as far back as 2018 and as recently as March of this year.

In one email, Robbinsdale Armstrong High School Principal, Erick Norby, listed 15 security concerns to Robbinsdale Schools Superintendent, David Engstrom, and in a separate email, New Hope Police Chief, Tim Hoyt, also wrote to Engstrom and expressed security concerns at Cooper High School in December, 2021.

“We are one big situation away from potential serious problems.  I am asking for help, planning and safety improvements immediately,” Norby wrote in his March email to Engstrom.

Former Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of School Superintendents, Tony Kinkel, told KSTP the list of 15 security concerns is something Robbinsdale Schools need to take seriously and act promptly to address.

“Safety has to be number one. And so, you’re constantly asking yourself as an administrator am I making a reasonable effort to keep people safe in this building,” said Kinkel. “And, boy, I think there are some questions that need to be asked there.”

Former St. Paul Police Chief, Todd Axtell, now owns a security consulting company called The Axtell Group.   Axtell also reviewed Norby’s email and said, from a law enforcement perspective, the principal’s concerns need to be taken seriously.

“You can have the best safety measures and the best technology,” said Axtell.  “But, if you don’t have the policy in place to make sure that the technology is monitored, and reviewed and inspected on a timely basis — it’s worthless.”

Robbinsdale Schools did not have anyone available for comment, but did issue a statement from Norby which he had sent to parents at Armstrong High School.  Here is an excerpt from that message:

“As many of you may be aware, a recent news story featured an email from me that addressed some security concerns at Armstrong High School. The email was sent in March of 2022. In the eight months since then, several of those issues have been resolved. The issues that still exist are being worked on and will be rectified. At Armstrong, we take the safety of our students and staff seriously. It is at the forefront of the decisions we make on a daily basis. We are proud of the partnership we have maintained with the Plymouth Police Department, and we will continue to partner with them in the future to ensure the safety of our school.”