This morning, a student at the Academy West Alternative High School attempted to enter the building with an unloaded BB-Gun. He was immediately detained by the Mt. Morris Township Resource Officer and building security. The student has been turned over to the Mt. Morris Township Police Department for investigation. The school district was unaware of any threats to any of our facilities prior to this event, and we are cooperating with the police in their investigation. At no time were any staff members or students in danger, as the protocols we have in place succeeded in detecting and eliminating the potential threat.
We ask our families to please discuss the ramifications of an action like this with their students. Twenty Genesee County students are currently under investigation by the prosecutor’s office for threatening schools, and their lives could be permanently affected by their actions. We would also ask our students and families that if they become aware of a potential threat, please call your school office or the OK2SAY anonymous tip line at 855-565-2729, text: 652729 (OK2SAY).
Westwood Heights Schools considers the safety of our staff and students to be paramount, and we have put in place additional safety measures this year, including hiring additional security guards, increased training, and other measures to increase our safety profile.