Possible violence investigated
First, all of us here at New Prague Area Schools feel safety within our schools is paramount. We are committed to ensuring the safety of all students, staff and administrators.
For this reason, any and all reports of violence in our schools are investigated thoroughly by administrators and law enforcement officials to ensure that safety.
We cannot emphasize strongly enough that New Prague Area Schools remain steadfastly committed to maintaining a safe and secure educational environment.
We feel that students who speak of violence within our schools or any other parts of their lives will be taken seriously and law enforcement officials will be brought in to do a thorough and complete investigation.
Furthermore, students who use instant messaging, email or other forms of communication to relay information regarding acts of violence have to base those messages on first-hand information whether that be a verbal threat that was directly heard, or, a written threat that was directly seen. Communication without direct knowledge impedes the police investigation.
At the end of the day Friday, administration received a report of a list of student names targeted to be victimized with violence by a middle school student at school today (Monday). They also received names of multiple students involved in planning and preparing the list. The administration and police immediately began a thorough investigation. Over the course of the weekend, additional reports were created by students via e-mail and instant messaging. Parent calls of concern escalated and the investigation broadened in scope. Each and every report was investigated for credibility with an attempt to reach the origination of the message. After hours of investigation spanning three days, no witness had actually seen a 'hit list' or directly heard a threat of specific violence at school.
New Prague Area Schools Police Liaison Jim Gareis, after extensive student interviews spanning three days, has been unable to substantiate any real threat to students or staff.
We would also like to commend all of the students who came forward to their parents and school staff members to report the possible violence. This helps keep our schools safe. It is the reporting to other students that impedes an investigation and preventative measures.
Parents can be assured that this investigation was extensive and thorough and that the safety of the students remains the primary goal.

CURRENT INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THIS WEB SITE AND ON RECORDED PHONE MESSAGES AT THE FOLLOWING PHONE NUMBERS: 758-1780, 758-1200, 758-1400.