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Superior Police were visible on campus in the wake of school violence in Florida.
In the wake of the Florida school shooting, news reports and just about every television station has shown coverage of students who are demanding stricter gun control to prevent future school shootings. Reminders of the often harsh world we are living in bombard social media threads and sometimes, there is a calm that something like that would not happen in these small towns. While these situations seem to be thousands of miles away from the Copper Corridor, that has not meant that local school districts have not had to deal with threats of gun violence. Many of the districts are ensuring that emergency plans are revisited and everyone has a clear understanding what to do should something like a school shooting happen on campus.
Thursday morning parents, students and administration of the Superior Unified School District viewed social media posts proclaiming that “SHS will be Shot Up Today” from a fake profile by a person named Ray Andres. School Administration and Superior Police did not take this lightly, even though it turns out that the social media posts were running rampant throughout the United States.
The Superior School District in Superior, Wisconsin alerted the Superior Unified School District on Thursday that their school also took special precautions and upon investigating the online threat their local police determined that the internet threat started from a computer in Flagstaff, Arizona. Superior (AZ) police department is conducting an investigation as well and has subpoenaed the social media posts and profile. This particular threat affected many schools throughout the nation with the initials SHS and will more than likely become a nationwide investigation.
Superior Police Department posted officers at both schools as a precaution and parents were notified via Facebook and the Schools Way App that the police would be on campus throughout the day. The school and Superior Police plan to continue having officers on campus for the next few weeks and every morning.
“We are very pleased with the communication and follow through during this situation,” said Superintendent Steve Estatico.
Throughout the day the school was able to provide parents information using social media. The district did not count the absences of students who stayed home that day as many parents decided to keep their children home as a precaution.
Superior Police, Fire and the School District are working on conducting evacuation and intruder drills to ensure that students know what to do should such a situation arise.
Parents at Ray Unified School district received a letter from the school district explaining that the school had received a rumors of a credible threat of school violence from a student. In the letter from Superintendent Curt Cook explained that there is an ongoing investigation by Kearny Police Department into the matter and that the school will be using one main point of entry going forward.
On February 15, 2018, a Ray School District administrator was notified regarding rumors of a possible threat to school safety. The district immediately notified Kearny Police Department who in conjunction with the school officials began an investigation to determine the credibility of such statements.
As the investigation moves forward, the district has taken action to suspend a student indefinitely as we proceed toward possible expulsion. This student will not be permitted on school grounds or to attend any district event or activity.
Curt Cook, Superintendent of Ray Schools, issued the following statement:
“The Ray Unified School District takes all threats seriously and student and staff safety is our primary concern. The district is continuing their investigation and has taken immediate action to ensure the safety of all students and employees at school including an increase of police presence around our campuses. The District will make a counselor available to meet with any student who needs an opportunity to talk about their concerns or fears at this time. The District will continue to review its safety procedures going forward to ensure a safe learning environment for all students and staff.”
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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