The Fox C-6 School District requested additional patrols from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office today, Dec. 12, at Seckman Middle School in Imperial after students reported an online threat the day before, Superintendent Paul Fregeau said.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Grant Bissell said additional deputies were at the school today.
In a letter sent to families on Monday, Dec. 11, Seckman Middle Principal Pat Schwalbe said three students worked around the school’s internet filter to get onto a gaming website near the end of the school day. He said while the students played the game, they received threatening comments toward the school.
Schwalbe said the students reported the threat to school administration. In the letter, Schwalbe said administrators “worked with local authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.”
“We take the safety and well-being of our students and staff seriously, and we are committed to maintaining a secure learning environment,” Schwalbe wrote. “This is a reminder to families to have conversations with your students about online safety, emphasizing the importance of reporting any concerning behavior they encounter while gaming. Additionally, please remind them not to share personal information and to promptly report any inappropriate content.”
Fregeau said the threat was discovered at about 2:30 p.m. Monday. He said because the threat was discovered at the end of the school day there was no disruption to classes, and the school day was not altered today.
He also said the threat at Seckman Middle is not connected to another possible social media post on Dec. 7 that threatened violence at Ridgewood Middle School, which is off Hwy. 141 between Arnold and Fenton.
Bissell said investigators could not find evidence that a threat had been made toward Ridgewood Middle or anyone in the building, but deputies were sent to the school on Dec. 8 as a precaution.
And on Dec. 5, a juvenile, who is not enrolled at Seckman High School, somehow entered the building and remained inside for several hours before being noticed. Principal Jeff Krutzsch said the young person previously attended the school and plans to re-enroll for the second semester.
Bissell said the juvenile did not pose a threat to anyone in the school and apparently was only in the school to visit with students.
“We take all reports seriously and collaborate with law enforcement to investigate any such report,” Fregeau said of all security issues within the district. We continue to encourage staff, students and the school community to be vigilant regarding anything that seems unusual or concerning. If something like (online threat) is identified, we ask that it be reported to the school staff immediately.”