Good Afternoon,
As the Superintendent, my number one priority every day is the health, safety, and welfare of our school community. Over the last several days, our community has been subjected to two situations that have caused fear, panic, and emotional distress. It is a difficult time to be a parent and your support, trust, and understanding is greatly appreciated.
As we review the day’s events, it is important to note that being transparent and sharing information as quickly as possible was at the forefront of our efforts today. However, please realize that our actions must stay focused on the situation at hand and that we cannot provide details in real time. Most importantly, once we were able to identify and confirm the individual responsible for posting today’s threat, it was imperative to send another communication that simply conveyed that your children were safe.
The individual responsible for today’s disruption is a TPS middle school student. As stated in my prior communication, the situation has been addressed and the student will be subject to potential discipline in accordance with our Student Handbook, applicable Board policies, and the Michigan Revised School Code. Additionally, this may result in criminal charges being filed with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
In an update from earlier this year, I shared the following from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel specific to school threats:
“Threats of violence in our schools disrupt the classroom, tax our local law enforcement agencies and harm our students’ sense of safety,” said Nessel. “Whether these are real threats made by those intent on doing harm or pranks made by kids trying to get a day off, they are real crimes with real consequences. It’s critical that adults and students alike understand the seriousness of these threats and the criminal charges they could face.”
Potential charges one could face if they make a threat of violence include:
-
communicating a threat of terrorism, 20-year felony;
-
calling in a bomb threat, a four-year felony;
-
malicious use of a telecommunications device, a six-month misdemeanor; and
-
threatening violence against a school employee or student, a one-year misdemeanor.
Thus, any and all such situations involving students go far beyond school disciplinary codes and may include serious legal consequences. We implore you to speak candidly with your student regarding the responsibility they have to adhere to the standards and expectations for behavior outlined above, as well as the significant consequences they may face for noncompliance. The overall safety of our school community is the responsibility of every member of it.
Sincerely,
Douglas Mentzer, Ed. S
Superintendent
Trenton Public Schools
