After conferring with law enforcement regarding two reported possible threats, all Monticello schools will be open and operating on normal schedules, on Tuesday , October 29.
Today’s lockouts at Monticello High School, Robert J. Kaiser Middle School, and Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary Schools were due to reports of an individual making threats towards a particular student. Administrators immediately informed our school resource officer (SRO) and, after consulting with law enforcement, implemented lockouts in three schools where we believed particular students might have been targeted by this individual.
The parents and caregivers of these affected students were made aware of the threats and cooperated with law enforcement and administration.
According to law enforcement, a suspect of interest is in custody. This threat has been mitigated.
Earlier tonight, we received reports of a social media post that described a potential threat of violence at Kaiser Middle School by a “high school student.”
Multiple state and local law enforcement agencies continue to investigate this posting. While this does not appear to be a credible threat, we are taking precautions with law enforcement to protect our students and staff.
As a precaution, lockouts in Monticello High School and Robert J. Kaiser Middle School will remain in effect for October 29. We will have additional law enforcement on these campuses, to complement our regular security services such as two school resource officers, two armed security guards, security aides, and metal detection of students.
As a school district, student and staff safety is our top priority, and we will continue to take vigorous steps to ensure it. We spoke frequently throughout the day with law enforcement regarding the initial threat, and continue that dialogue regarding what has been spread on social media.
In this instance, we sought to balance the sharing of information with law enforcement’s ability to conduct a successful investigation that may result in an arrest.
We are grateful for those students and community members who promptly reported these to law enforcement and school administrators.
We are also thankful for the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s office, and other law enforcement agencies for their investigation and advisement.
Should you receive information regarding a possible threat of school violence, please report it to law enforcement or your school’s administration. Please do not hesitate to contact your school administrator if you have any questions about a possible threat of school violence.