Editor’s Note: The State Fire Marshal’s Office report and recommendations were reported in full in the April 8b issue of The Toledo Chronicle and on this tamatoledonews.com website on March 9.

During public comments at the South Tama School Board meeting on Monday, April 6, Deb Backen took some South Tama School leaders, staff and others including some volunteer firefighters to task about recent allegations she claimed they contributed to in portraying the middle school building in Toledo as “unsafe.”

She said she filed a complaint with the State Fire Marshal’s Office concerning the issues reported with the middle school. She said she had withdrawn her student from the middle school on March 12 because of safety concerns.

Then, upon receiving a report back form the state fire marshal which said all of the claims were “unfounded” Backen charged Monday night” school officials and staff did not stand up for the safety of our building other said nothing or “liked” it or “loved” comments on social media “It greatly disturbing to me our leaders did not stand up for safety of the building,” she said.

The reported comments surfaced during prior to the March 3 bond issue vote to replace the middle school with an addition to the high school. The measure received 53% voter approval but fell short of the required 60 % for passage.