A Mason High School -student was arrested after the district said that he made an “important verbal threat” at a bus stop on Wednesday.
Mason City Schools said in a statement that the male student was arrested in high school on Thursday morning, and added that the threat was made for a few Mason Early Childhood Center students.
In an earlier statement on the day of the incident, the district said that the student “reportedly had the feeling that they were being picked and in response was a verbal threat to shoot the school.”
Various students reported the threat for managers, while others used the phone or text tip rule to report what the student had said, according to the previous statement.
As soon as he became aware of the incident, the district started an investigation, assessed the images of the bus camera and worked closely with the police, which ultimately resulted in the student's arrest.
“We know that incidents such as those we have shared this week can be disturbing, and we want to assure you that the safety and well -being of our students remain our highest priority,” is Thursday's statement. “Our team takes extra steps to strengthen a culture of safety, inclusion and respect at all levels.”
Spokesperson Tracey Carson, Mason City Schools, the enquirer said that although the district district of specific disciplinary actions of students cannot reveal, students who make this nature threats are generally suspended with a recommendation for removal.
The district added that it works directly with the affected families and increases the support for the students involved. This includes more supervision of all buses of the district and offering “extra monitoring” on the route involved in Wednesday's incident.
In addition, all schools of the district offer lessons to help students develop empathy and integrity, to recognize and report harmful behavior and to report and practice to stand up for themselves and others in positive, constructive ways, “the statement said. If a student wants to have a conversation with a member of the Prevention & Wellness team, please contact Prevention & Wellness Supervisor TJ Glassmeyer at [email protected].
To report a threat, the District shared three ways in which the community has access to its Tiplijn:
“Even if it is intended as a joke or out of frustration, threats – large or small – can lead to serious school and legal consequences,” said the district on Wednesday. “Messages sent online, including group skats, game platforms and social media are never really private and can be misinterpreted.”
Enquirer reporter David Ferrara has contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mason City Schools: Student arrested after making shooting threat
