2 weeks Ago By Isak Dinesen
WEST FARGO — The West Fargo school district is saying enough is enough after two recent threats to school safety in the span of a week. They're hoping to spark a conversation with parents and students about safe use of social media, where the threats originated. One district official said it has been a hard time for many in West Fargo — from those in the classroom and beyond, mostly because they have to treat each threat as if they're real.
"There are consequences when you're making posts about harming fellow students or staff members," Vincent Williams, the West Fargo Public Schools' assistant superintendent, said Wednesday, Oct. 9. A lesson that isn't in most school's curriculum, but one that is now surfacing in West Fargo.
Rumblings of a threat first appeared at Liberty Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 3, confirmed through an email sent to parents that day. Though the threat later was deemed not credible, another surfaced among students at Cheney Middle School , creating an environment where some told the district they didn't feel safe.
"It's disheartening when students and families don't feel like school is a safe place," Williams said. West Fargo Police became involved through community tips, and say these investigations can be time consuming. "Sometimes, we can just talk to the kids at the school and we can follow up on it relatively quickly," West Fargo Police Sgt.
Patrick Hanson said. "If it gets to involving search warrants and bringing in detectives, sometimes those can take days." The investigation at Cheney resulted in terrorizing charges against a student, who was arrested and taken to juvenile detention.
An example of online actions having real-world consequences. "Not only is there the potential for suspension, but there's potential for expulsion, as well, and also there are criminal charges that can be pressed against them," Hanson said. District officials say they will do their part to help show students better behaviors, but encouraged parents to talk about social media at home.
"I'm all for privacy, but there are some things that, as parents, we need to step up and make sure we're interacting so our kids can't make those unfortunate decisions," Williams said. West Fargo Police say, in some cases, they recommend kids not having any social media or for parents to actively monitor social media use..
