By Brenda Ortega
MEA Voice Editor

For MEA member Maria Scott, the Romulus Middle School secretary who averted tragedy when an armed man rang the school’s front buzzer, first her instincts kicked in — then her training took hold.

“I knew something wasn’t right and instantly called 911,” Scott said in an interview.

It happened during a quiet morning lull in the front office. Scott was completing a monthly report, with jazz music playing softly in the background, when the buzzer rang around 9 a.m.

New to the middle school this year, Scott viewed the man in the intercom system’s video camera and recognized him as a parent. But in the space of “milliseconds,” she noticed his bulky coat. His face was partly obscured.

“I knew something was off because he never comes up with a big coat on — even in the prime of winter,” Scott said.  “And I saw how he was kind of like in a pace at the door. I said, ‘Hi, sir; can I help you?’ That’s when he said, ‘I’m here to get my (cuss word) son.’”

Scott picked up the office phone and dialed for help. On the call with the police dispatcher, still watching the man on camera, Scott thought she saw a gun in his coat.

“That’s when I went to the school intercom. I said, ‘This is an immediate lockdown. This is not a drill. Immediate lockdown. This is not a drill.’ I said that at least four times.”

She grabbed her cell phone and called the superintendent. Within seconds, she heard the first shot. Then a second. A third. “I’m still on the speakerphone with the dispatcher. I said, ‘Shots have been fired.’ I prayed that nothing was breached, but I didn’t know.

“I’m trying to kneel down after the second gunshot but still keep eyes on him for the dispatcher. The police department pulled up so fast, and I’m telling play by play to the dispatcher: ‘OK, Romulus police has pulled up. He’s walking towards them now, with his hands up.’”

Once he was in custody, Scott let go. “I finally released it. When I saw them put him in handcuffs, that’s when it all came over me, and I fell to the floor and began to cry. Right under my desk. I just cried. I couldn’t believe it. It felt so unreal.”

Later she learned more than three shots were fired. Students and staff told her they recognized the gravity of the moment from the tone of her voice on the intercom. Scott was flooded with appreciation. Flowers and cards and hugs and thank yous.

A week after the Jan. 6 incident, the reality was sinking in. “I have a six-year-old and a 17-year-old, and right now my six-year-old just sees Mommy as his hero. But my oldest, he fully understands. He’s like, ‘Wow, Mom.’ The what-ifs are playing in our heads, and we’re so grateful.”

Scott appreciates the quick police response; emotional support from staff, administrators, students and families; excellent training she received from the district. Thoughts of her training helped her stay calm: “I literally kept telling myself, OK — what did I learn to do next?”

Brandyn Martin, a night custodian who serves as president of the Romulus support staff union, said the incident is a reminder of “the incredible value of our well-trained school support staff.

“They don’t get the recognition they deserve, but the important work they do every single day provides a safe and healthy environment for our students to learn.”

Scott started at the middle school in August after nine years at a district elementary. She loves the diverse role of school secretary — managing paperwork, caring for sick or injured kids, administering prescribed medicines, and giving advice, encouragement and hugs.

“I can’t stress enough for secretaries all over the world: Remember your why. That day, knowing why I became a secretary helped me so much. I just remembered my why — because I love those children. I knew how much I loved everyone in that building.”