Federal Agents, Unidentified Man Seen On Lydiksen Elementary Campus

PLEASANTON, CA — Two federal agents from the office of Homeland Security appeared on the campus of Lydiksen Elementary School Friday for undisclosed reasons, Vice Principal Jennifer McCullough told families Sunday afternoon in an email shared with Patch.

In the same email, McCullough said that an unidentified man was seen on campus Saturday at around 1:30 pm. McCullough handled the two situations because Principal Jacob Berg was away from campus due to an “unrelated matter,” PUSD spokesperson Patrick Gannon told Pleasanton Weekly.

The agents arrived unexpectedly on Friday, McCullough said. She said that she contacted the Pleasanton Police Department, who verified that the visitors were confirmed to be federal agents, “and that the visit to campus was not due to any impending danger to staff or students.”

“We are still gathering information as to the purpose of the federal agents’ visit,” Gannon told Patch in an email.

The following day, an “unidentified male” was seen on campus. The Pleasanton Police Department was contacted and officers swept, cleared, and secured the campus, McCullough said.

On Sunday morning, McCullough joined a PPD sergeant and two PUSD office staff in searching every building on the Lydiksen campus. All buildings were searched, cleared, and secured as of Sunday afternoon, McCullough said.

“No individuals or items of concern were found as a result of the sweep,” Gannon said. No further information was given describing the man.

“The safety and well-being of our students and staff members is our number one priority. We will continue to work with staff and students to review safety practices and drills. Please help us in reminding students that if you see something, say something to an adult,” McCullough’s email concluded.

The events occurred just over two weeks after Fairlands Elementary was placed on lockdown after a convicted robber, Rhodney Henderson, was found lying in his underwear in a storage closet with three knives police believe were taken from the school kitchen. Henderson was arrested on Friday, Oct. 6, the same day he was found in the school, and charged with multiple felonies, including possessing a weapon on school grounds, second-degree robbery, and second-degree burglary.

During an Oct. 12 PUSD Board meeting, about 20 Fairlands parents berated the district and called for an overhaul of security and communication procedures. Superintendent David Haglund said that staff is committed to working with teams to “enhance the safety protocols.” The parents attending are asking to be part of that process.

The board agreed to hold another community meeting on the Fairlands incident following further review that would include representatives from the Pleasanton Police Department.