Warrick County School Superintendent Addresses Facebook Threat
By: Julie Dolan
Updated: August 6, 2012
Castle High School will increase security for the start of the school year because of a threat a student posted on Facebook.
In a letter to the Castle community, Warrick County School Corporation Superintendent Brad Schneider and Principal Andy Byers said, "The School Corporation is taking this threat seriously."
The student's Facebook post said, "First day of school going to be great for you guys. Most of you will see me raise the weapon but let's see how many of you can outrun the bullet. Castle High School here I come."
Schneider says he has received numerous phone calls and e-mails from students, parents and staff members expressing their concern. He tells Eyewitness News that students can expect heavier than normal police presence on campus this fall.
Eyewitness News also spoke with Warrick County Sheriff Brett Kruse Monday. Kruse says the investigation has been turned over to the Prosecutor's Office. He says no arrests have been made, and says the suspect and/or suspect's family have been very cooperative throughout the investigation.
A regularly scheduled Warrick County School Board meeting will be held Monday, August 6 at 7:00 pm. The issue is not on the board's agenda, however, many parents tell Eyewitness News they plan to be there to speak during the time allotted for public comment and concerns.
The 2012-2013 school years starts Wednesday, August 15th.
The letter addressed to parents reads as follows:
August 6, 2012
Dear Castle Community:
By now I am sure many, if not all of you, are aware of the recent threat posted on Facebook. We have received numerous phone calls and e-mails from students, parents, and staff members expressing their concern, and rightfully so. We want everyone to know that the school corporation is taking this threat seriously. We are working closely with the Warrick County Sheriff's Department and other county agencies to ensure a safe start to the 2012-2013 school year. School officials will strictly enforce the student disciplinary policy, and take any and all disciplinary action deemed appropriate to ensure every student is safe. Due to federal privacy laws, and the face that this is an on-going investigation, we are prohibited from sharing specific details about this case, but be assured we will do everything in our power to keep the students, staff and patrons of Castle High School safe.
School officials have already planning for increased security measures. I assure you that a heightened sense of security will be in place for the start of the 2012-2013 school year. School safety is, and always has been, our top priority at the Warrick County School Corporation. Our school corporation employs two trained school safety specialists, and we have four full-time School Resource Officers in our schools. We maintaining a great working relationship with all the local leaders throughout Warrick County. But, most importantly, we appreciate the incredible support we receive from our parents and patrons. the fact that so many of you have brought this to our attention, demonstrates your commitment to ensuring that our schools and children are safe. We often speak of our strong sense of community, and now our community will come together and work through this unfortunate event. As the leaders of Castle High School and the Warrick County School Corporation, we want to assure you that we have, and will continue, to do everything within our power to ensure that your children will be safe at school.
Sincerely,
Brad Schneider (Superintendent)
Andy Byers (Principal, Castle HS)
In a letter to the Castle community, Warrick County School Corporation Superintendent Brad Schneider and Principal Andy Byers said, "The School Corporation is taking this threat seriously."
The student's Facebook post said, "First day of school going to be great for you guys. Most of you will see me raise the weapon but let's see how many of you can outrun the bullet. Castle High School here I come."
Schneider says he has received numerous phone calls and e-mails from students, parents and staff members expressing their concern. He tells Eyewitness News that students can expect heavier than normal police presence on campus this fall.
Eyewitness News also spoke with Warrick County Sheriff Brett Kruse Monday. Kruse says the investigation has been turned over to the Prosecutor's Office. He says no arrests have been made, and says the suspect and/or suspect's family have been very cooperative throughout the investigation.
A regularly scheduled Warrick County School Board meeting will be held Monday, August 6 at 7:00 pm. The issue is not on the board's agenda, however, many parents tell Eyewitness News they plan to be there to speak during the time allotted for public comment and concerns.
The 2012-2013 school years starts Wednesday, August 15th.
The letter addressed to parents reads as follows:
August 6, 2012
Dear Castle Community:
By now I am sure many, if not all of you, are aware of the recent threat posted on Facebook. We have received numerous phone calls and e-mails from students, parents, and staff members expressing their concern, and rightfully so. We want everyone to know that the school corporation is taking this threat seriously. We are working closely with the Warrick County Sheriff's Department and other county agencies to ensure a safe start to the 2012-2013 school year. School officials will strictly enforce the student disciplinary policy, and take any and all disciplinary action deemed appropriate to ensure every student is safe. Due to federal privacy laws, and the face that this is an on-going investigation, we are prohibited from sharing specific details about this case, but be assured we will do everything in our power to keep the students, staff and patrons of Castle High School safe.
School officials have already planning for increased security measures. I assure you that a heightened sense of security will be in place for the start of the 2012-2013 school year. School safety is, and always has been, our top priority at the Warrick County School Corporation. Our school corporation employs two trained school safety specialists, and we have four full-time School Resource Officers in our schools. We maintaining a great working relationship with all the local leaders throughout Warrick County. But, most importantly, we appreciate the incredible support we receive from our parents and patrons. the fact that so many of you have brought this to our attention, demonstrates your commitment to ensuring that our schools and children are safe. We often speak of our strong sense of community, and now our community will come together and work through this unfortunate event. As the leaders of Castle High School and the Warrick County School Corporation, we want to assure you that we have, and will continue, to do everything within our power to ensure that your children will be safe at school.
Sincerely,
Brad Schneider (Superintendent)
Andy Byers (Principal, Castle HS)
Comments
Why has this student not been arrested? If he made such a threat on Facebook or anywhere else there should be immediate consequences
Ronald L.
August 6, 2012 at 1:19 pm
