A male student who talked about bringing a firearm to school on Oct. 20 raised concerns but did not represent a significant threat against the students, according to Oconto Falls School District Administrator Dean Hess.
Oconto Falls High School students who heard the comments reported the remarks to school administrators late in the school day on Oct. 20.
“The students did a good job in taking an active role in keeping our environment safe,” Hess said.
He said the students and staff were not in immediate danger. Classes resumed as usual the following day at the high school.
Administrators initiated a crisis management plan, calling in law enforcement and the student’s parents. The Oconto Falls Police Department and the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department responded to the school.
Letters explaining the situation were emailed to the parents of high school students and were handed out to students on Oct. 21. Hess said the letters were meant to inform people about the remarks, not scare them.
“We want to be as transparent as we can be,” he said.
Parents appreciated receiving the letters, he added.
According to the letter written by Principal Bruce Russell, the comments were made over the course of the day. An investigation ensued, involving law enforcement, school administrators and the student’s parents.
“The investigation revealed there was no immediate threat to students or the learning environment,” the letter stated.
Hess said the school district is working with the student and his parents to understand what prompted the remarks. Discipline of the student will center upon understanding and changing the behavior, not punishment, Hess said.
He praised the students at the high school who dealt with the crisis.
“All in all, the kids handled it very well,” he said.
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