[SchoolMatters] Important Announcement from our Superintendent

[Brian Wheeler]

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
This message is not an official communication of the Albemarle County School
Board. It is a private, e-mail-only newsletter written by Brian Wheeler,
At-Large Member of the Albemarle County School Board. 
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

ALBEMARLE COUNTY
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
WEBSITE:  www.k12albemarle.org

Media releases can be found here:
http://www.k12albemarle.org/Board/NewPages/happening.htm


Important Announcement from Superintendent Pamela Moran 
February 3, 2006 

Dear Albemarle County Public Schools Community, 

In Albemarle County Public Schools, our staff, parents, and community
members all share a strong commitment to provide students with safe learning
environments. It is a priority for our school system because we believe when
students feel safe; they are more focused on learning. Anytime something
happens that may affect safety, we believe it's important to share the facts
of the matter in our school communities to combat rumors and give adults
information they may need to discuss issues with their students. Today, we
had an experience that is important to share with you. 

Today the Albemarle County Police Department and Albemarle County Public
Schools held a news conference to announce that three Albemarle County
students have been arrested and charged with criminal offenses in connection
with an alleged plan for violent acts on two campuses several months from
now. Albemarle High School and Western Albemarle High School were identified
as the locations. No other campuses were identified as possible locations.
The Police Department received information from confidential sources about
the alleged plan. No specific individuals were identified or targeted as
possible victims. During the news conference, Police Chief John Miller state
the Department did not have reason to believe there was a potential,
immediate threat to those who attend and work in our schools. 

A 16-year-old Western Albemarle High School student, a 15-year-old Albemarle
High School student, and a 13-year-old Jack Jouett Middle School student are
now in custody at the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. The students'
names will not be released because they are juveniles. The School Division's
policy requires that students accused of felonies are suspended from school.
Additional disciplinary actions may be taken parallel to the criminal
proceedings.  

The Police Department received information about the alleged threat on Mon.,
January 30 and swiftly began an investigation. During an investigation of
this nature, things happen quickly and information can change. This
communication is intended to provide you the information we have available
at this point in time. 

The Police Department made its first arrest on Tues., January 31, a second
on Wed., February 1, and a third on Thurs., February 2. The charges against
the three students are all felonies and if convicted, the students face the
possibility of being incarcerated. 

The 16-year-old Western Albemarle High student has been charged with two
felonies for "communicating a threat in writing, electronically transmitted
communication producing a visual or electronic message, a threat to kill or
do bodily injury to a person"  and "commanding, entreating, or otherwise
persuading another to commit a felony."

The 15-year-old Albemarle High student has been charged with two felonies
for "conspiring, confederating, or combining with another to commit a
felony, to wit: murder" and "conspiring, confederating, or combining with
another to commit a felony, to wit: by use of any explosive device, destroy,
in whole or in part, a schoolhouse." 

The 13-year-old Jouett student has been charged with two felonies for
"conspiring, confederating, or combining with another to commit a felony, to
wit: murder," and "conspiring, confederating, or combining with another to
commit a felony, to wit: by use of any explosive device, destroy, in whole
or in part, a schoolhouse." 

Several search warrants also were executed by the Police Department in
relation to the arrests. Evidence was collected on the search warrants and
submitted to the Commonwealth Attorney's Office. The Police Department was
unable to share many details but did confirm that two shotguns were
recovered and computers were seized. Chief Miller characterized the arrested
students as friends and said that two lived in the same neighborhood and
they communicated through an on-line chat room. Chief Miller also said he is
fairly positive the Police Department has all those involved. 

During the news conference, Chief Miller urged parents to be aware of how
their children are using technology to prevent its misuse or abuse. The
Police Department has an Internet safety program it provides free of charge
to school organizations. Talk to your school principal if you think your
parent organization or the broad school community may benefit from such a
program. In addition to its regular Internet safety activities, the School
Division next week will make available online safety tips for parents and
students.   

We appreciate the swift action of the Police Department in the investigation
as well as the Department's willingness to work with the School Division to
notify our school community as early as possible. In criminal investigations
like this that involve juveniles, the Police Department is very limited in
the information it can provide to the School Division and public. We will
continue to provide our parents and the public with the information about
this matter that we are authorized to release. While we welcome questions
about the School Division's response to this issue and our safety plans, we
are not able to answer questions about the investigation. We ask for your
understanding in this regard. 

In our schools today, we did take steps to inform our administrators and
staff across the division of the issue. We also focused our guidance
counselors on handling any student concerns. We will continue to closely
monitor our students and staff to meet their needs. At Albemarle High,
Western Albemarle High, and Jouett, our principals also took extra steps to
inform their students and staff. The high school principals broadcast
announcements to students and staff in the early afternoon following the
news conference. The Jouett principal held face-to-face meetings with
students and staff by grade level in the early afternoon. Each principal
also sent an informational letter home to parents through U.S. Mail. 

All schools in Albemarle County have crisis plans that outline roles and
procedures for coping with a variety of incidents from natural disasters to
on-campus violence. We update and review our plans every year and welcome
you to view them in school offices. We also have several services inside our
schools to help students with a variety of personal and social needs. 

If you are a parent with a child who is unusually upset over this incident,
please contact your student's guidance counselor or the school office
immediately and request support. We will work with you to meet your child's
needs. If you believe you or someone you know may have information related
to these arrests, please contact Albemarle County Police Detective Gary
Pistulka at 296-5807. 

Today's events serve to remind us that the most important thing a student,
parent, staff or community member can do to help us keep our schools safe is
to share any rumors or evidence about possible safety issues with an
administrator, counselor, or our School Resource Officers. Communicating and
working together is the best prevention.  

We welcome your continued partnership in keeping Albemarle County Public
Schools safe places for students to learn. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Pamela Moran
Superintendent