Authorities have identified three Hillsboro Junior High School students suspected of writing threats on restroom walls at the school this month, including one threat this week.
A threat also was found at Hillsboro High School this week, but authorities have not identified anyone in connection with that incident, according to authorities.
As a result of the three threats, the Hillsboro R-3 School District is holding a Junior High parent meeting from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, in the school cafeteria, 12 Hawk Drive, said assistant Superintendent Jon Isaacson, who will become the district’s superintendent on July 1, 2019.
Topics to be discussed at the meeting include: current safety protocol; communication with law enforcement; professional development and training; general disciplinary consequences and procedures; counseling and mental health resources; and brainstorming ideas, Isaacson said.
The first incident happened Nov. 13, when a threat “to shoot the school up” was found written in the Junior High girls’ restroom. District officials contacted law enforcement, who searched the building and found no weapons. During that search, the school had a “modified lockdown,” which means classes continued, but students were locked inside the various classrooms, Isaacson said.
He said two female Hillsboro Junior High students are believed to be responsible for that incident.
The second threat was found Monday (Nov. 26), again in the Junior High girls’ restroom, and said, “Shoot up the school. Beware on 11/26.” The school was again placed on a modified lockdown, authorities searched the building, and no weapon was found, Isaacson said.
Sgt. Matthew Moore of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said another Junior High student – a 14-year-old girl – is suspected of making that threat and the case has been turned over to juvenile authorities.
Isaacson said school policy does not allow him to give any details about the students suspected in the threats or information about any disciplinary actions taken against them.
“Any time a student makes a threat, we will handle it in accordance with Board of Education policies and applicable laws,” Isaacson said.
He said the third threat was discovered about 2 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 28) at Hillsboro High School, 123 Leon Hall Parkway. It said, “Let’s shoot up the school.”
Isaacson said law enforcement was contacted, and lockers and backpacks were inspected, and a metal detector wand was used to check students for weapons. Again, no weapons were found.
He said no suspect has been identified in that incident, although it is still under investigation.
Isaacson said no threats are taken lightly.
“I don’t know what the students’ motivation or intent was, but it causes disruption at school,” he said.
A social media post called for Hillsboro district students to walk out of school today (Nov. 30) to protest the student searches, but Isaacson said he received no reports of any students walking out.