October 24, 2018Dear
Parents and Guardians,
As you are likely already aware through the School Messenger call that went out, there was a threat found on a restroom wall this morning at Madison-Plains High School. It stated, "at 1:59 school dies." Because it was not specifically a bomb threat, we had students and staff at the 7-12 building shelter-in-place, and law enforcement was called immediately. An e-mail was sent to the 7-12 staff, with a follow-up PA announcement, asking them to search their rooms for anything suspicious, and law enforcement walked the building looking, as well. Nothing was found.
At that point, a determination was made to lift the
shelter-in-place order, and to allow students and staff to resume normal
activity in the building. A School Messenger call went out to all parents
and guardians in the district, as well as staff, notifying them of the
threat.
We are taking this threat seriously, and an investigation is
being conducted. It is not believed that this threat is linked to the one
that was received earlier this month.
Please know that when investigations yield sufficient evidence
to support disciplinary consequences for an individual(s), those are being
assigned, as this behavior will not be accepted. However, student discipline is a confidential
matter.
I am aware that there is a history of this at the 7-12 building
in our district. We have increased the number of cameras that are in the
building to assist us in investigating issues that occur, and the administration
is considering other courses of action that could be put into place to help
deter these kinds of choices, as none of us want this to happen even once, let
alone have it be an issue that recurs.
We are doing everything we can, in consultation with law enforcement and
within the parameters of the law, to effectively address these issues.
Student and staff safety, health, and wellness is our number one
priority. We will continue to act on behalf of our students and staff to
keep them safe, healthy, and well. With that in mind, there will be a law
enforcement presence on campus this afternoon, as well.
Thank you.
Chad Eisler, Superintendent
Madison-Plains Local Schools