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School message probed

School message probed

Responding to a Monday incident at WHS, Weakley County Schools issued the following …
With less than 10 days remaining in the school year, a time when schools across the county are focusing on
finals and other year end activities, Westview High School officials found themselves on Monday trying to discover which student or students authored a disconcerting message scrolled on a bathroom wall. The message,
which will be kept by school system and local law enforcement authorities, prompted Westview’s administrative
team to contact the Martin Police Department and conduct a thorough search of the school campus.
“We work hard to make sure all our students are safe,” school principal David Byars said. “Unfortunately, as the end of the school year approaches, we will sometimes encounter unnecessary acts of mischief on campus. When that mischief remotely speaks to the safety of our students and staff, we will take it seriously and work with local law enforcement to discover the person or persons involved.”

Byars said an investigation was launched Monday morning once the message was discovered. “Once the
Martin Police Department and Keith Jones, the Weakley County juvenile officer, became involved in helping us sort things out, our staff followed their guidance in gathering information.”
Surveillance cameras used throughout the building were reviewed and, as of Monday afternoon, Byars said enough information had been gathered to speak directly to one student.
“Our understanding at this point is that a student did acknowledge creating the message. The Martin Police Department will take it from here,” he said.
When asked about the investigation at the largest high school in Weakley County, Director of Schools Randy Frazier said, “We ask parents to remind their students that engaging in conduct or making comments about school safety is serious. The safety of each school depends on students sharing information that may be helpful to prevent or stop acts of vandalism or anything else which may put students and staff at risk of being harmed.”

wcp 5/12/11