An Inappropriate Use

Of CodeRED

To the Editor:

On Monday, April 23, and Monday, May 14, I received calls on the town’s CodeRED emergency notification system. When I saw this system employed, my first thought was that there is an emergency at my children’s school. However, the message was from School Superintendent Dr Robinson informing listeners of Tuesday’s budget referendum.

This system is intended for emergency use only. I would hope that Dr Robinson would understand the difference between a civil emergency and a budget referendum, but it seems she does not. Dr Robinson’s use of this emergency system for a routine reminder was completely inappropriate, irresponsible, and unprofessional.

The budget referendum, though important, is not a matter of extreme urgency. As a parent of young children in the public schools, my stress level jumps when the CodeRED number comes up on my cellphone. The immediate thought is of a school closing or worse. In addition to the initial and unnecessary alarm, consider that if this system is misused in this manner, people will pay less attention to it and the system will not work to its full potential when it is actually needed. Think of the children’s story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”

For a greater explanation of the CodeRED system and its intention, I direct readers (and Dr Robinson) to The Newtown Bee, 3/08/2007: “Town Emergency Notification System Now Available.”

Timothy Stan

7 Johnny Appleseed Drive, Sandy Hook                        May 15, 2012