Threat to Washington HS Monday was ‘unfounded’

WASHINGTON — District officials said a report of a possible student threat at Washington High School was “unfounded” after police investigated the matter on Monday, Oct. 7.

In an email Monday afternoon, Superintendent Willie Stone said the schools contacted law enforcement immediately.

“The District’s top priorities are student and staff safety,” the email said. “We thank law enforcement for its work and cooperation in the investigation of this matter.”

Washington is hardly the first institution to go on alert after hearing vague, rumored threats. KCCI reported last week that Iowa’s Safe and Sound app — a tip line for the state’s schools and students — got 101 reports in September alone. The app allows users to alert state officials about a variety of safety concerns and wellness checks.

The trend has popped up around the state, with WACO and HLV investigating threats of their own last month. And in January, Mt. Pleasant was among 12 school districts in the state that went into lockdowns or “stay put” orders for about 20 minutes, after receiving a suspicious automated phone call.

Threats have rattled larger districts as well. Iowa City Community School District faced multiple in the last few weeks alone. One district-wide email from Superintendent Matt Degner on Oct. 8 said none of the threats there had been credible so far this academic year, but added that school officials “still take each one very seriously.”

Disclosure: Kalen McCain is an employee of the Iowa City Community School District.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com