J.D. Bailey
Banner-News
As school safety concerns rise after last week’s Parkland, Fla., high school shooting, Magnolia is one of many districts on high alert. A local school even had its own scare among students and parents recently after an alleged threatening note was revealed to exist at Magnolia Junior High School.
According to a source, a concerned student last Thursday alerted school officials of a graphically detailed and threatening note from one student aimed at others. The document was said to be an open secret among students for some time, but the Parkland incident pushed one classmate to report it. The note is alleged to have included a list of numerous students’ names and details on how they would be targeted with extreme violence.
When contacted about the matter, Magnolia’s top administrator stated that both he and the local public school system take any threats serioulsy.
“School safety is always at the forefront of every decision we make at Magnolia Public Schools,” said Magnolia Public Schools Superintendent John Ward in a statement. “Tragic events like what took place last week [in Florida] make us aware that we are always vulnerable. We (faculty, students, parents, law enforcement) must all be perceptive of threats and evaluate where we can prevent possible danger to our students. Please know that we take every threat seriously and notify proper officials to insure our kids are safe.”
Since the case allegedly involves minors, student names cannot legally be released. As reported on Monday, at least six school districts across the state reported threats from students since last Wednesday’s Florida attack.