New Athens school district investigating threat made against high school
New Athens Community Unit School District 60 was alerted Monday that a student made a threat of violence against the school.
According to CUSD 60 Superintendent Brian Karraker, other students informed high school Principal Dan Lehman of the threat on Tuesday. Karraker said that student has been identified and was interviewed by authorities, who deemed not credible. The student said he was joking.
“However, since it was a threat, we do take it seriously,” Karraker said.
The New Athens Police Department has been notified and the school will have an increased police presence on Wednesday to provide peace of mind, Karraker said. Karraker said appropriate consequences will be administered.
“This type of incident is not something that is taken lightly,” he said.
The student policy handbook which each student receives states that “Oral or written threats or acts of assault and battery`directed towards another student, teacher, employee of the district, oral or written is prohibited.”
“Suspension or other suitable punishment is justified, and if repeated or aggravated, initiation of an expulsion hearing. Parents of all students involved will be notified immediately. Principal has the discretion of whether to notify police,” the handbook said.
“And aggravated threats of assault , oral or written, with a firearm, explosive device or other dangerous weapon directed towards another student, teacher, employee of the district or the district’s facility are prohibited,” the handbook said.
District officials can give the student a 10-day suspension as well as initiate an expulsion hearing and criminal charges, the school’s policy handbook also says.
This story was originally published March 12, 2019 at 6:32 PM.
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