District spokeswoman Jessica Cardoza said Tuesday, March 12, that extra security and police officers had been at the 3200 Jaguar Run campus since officials became aware Monday, March 11, that the rumor was circulating through Twitter.
Cardoza said the talk was likely started by graffiti found by a student Friday, March 8, in a girls restroom just before school was dismissed.
She said the student reported the vandalism — which Cardoza said appeared to be in pencil or pen — to a school administrator, who had the graffiti removed.
Because the vandalism wasn’t thought to be gang related or pose a schoolwide threat, Cardoza said police were not informed about the matter Friday, though the school did begin its own investigation.
Cardoza couldn’t say what the exact words were, because of an ongoing investigation, but she said the graffiti did not mention either a gun or a potential target.
“Absolutely not. … The rumor around the students is someone is going to shoot the school down, but there’s no evidence we have that says anything about a gun or a shooting,” she said. “None whatsoever.”
The Tracy Police Department log indicates that someone at the high school reported at 8:12 a.m. Monday that a social media post indicated “there would be a shooting today at the school.”
Cardoza said a parent of a Kimball High student alerted school administrators to Twitter posts Monday morning that suggested a shooting could be planned. She said the shooting rumor probably developed from a Twitter-driven discussion of the graffiti found Friday.
Kimball High Principal Cheryl Domenichelli issued a statement on the school’s website Monday, and a voicemail explaining the situation was sent to parents around 3 p.m. Monday, Cardoza said.
By Tuesday, Cardoza said, the rumors had changed again, and new messages were sent by phone at 11 a.m. and posted on the website.
“The rumor this afternoon … was there was something about a teacher hit list, but we think that is just another rumor traced to a different student,” she said.
Domenichelli’s most recent statement said school officials and the police were “doing everything in our power to keep our campus a safe place.”
“Our school has a comprehensive safety plan in place,” the principal wrote, “and there is no reason students should miss school during the week.”
According to Cardoza, the Tracy Police Department planned to set up a mobile command center at the school Wednesday, March 13, to reassure parents and students.
“We want to really impress upon students and staff and families that we take every single rumor seriously and it will be investigated,” she said. “We want students to always feel safe at school.”
Cardoza added that any student with information about a threat to other students or faculty should tell a teacher or school staff member or call the police department at 831-4550.
Students spreading rumors, however, could be suspended.
“If they are found to be spreading rumors or starting rumors, they are receiving appropriate disciplinary action,” she said. “They would be charged with … disruption of the school day, which leads to suspension.”
• Contact Jon Mendelson at 835-3030 or jmendelson@tracypress.com.
There are many excusable reasons for kids to not be at school but be able to still attend practice such as doctor appointments etc. In a fantasy world I would make all my kids appts after school but that is not always able to be done.I agree they are student athletes with student being the priority. But last week was kind of special circumstances. Yes my kid went to practice on Wed after not attending school. I was not going to have my kids at school on a day of nonsensical hullabaloo of threats, news and police. I did not feel it would be a productive learning day and in fact it was not. I am not judging those who sent their kids to that atmosphere and I would hope they would not judge me for my choice. To each his own.
Also it started with writing on the bathroom wall of which many have seen. A picture of it made its way around many a cellphone. Though it did not say anything about a shooting, it was a definite threat. Who knows the intention of that student? Then the internet social media became flooded with posts. Who knows which are from the writer of the initial threat and those of other students adding to the fire?
Think back to emergencies of large scales - how many different messages are sent out? Kudos to KHS for trying to keep us informed as soon as they knew something and then updating throughout the week.
I received all messages from the principal and checked the website for the same information. The information provided was very clear and understandibly, they cannot tell us exactly what was said if it is under investigation (as it should be). When I dropped my daughter off this morning there were several police cars and school officials - if that isn't taking this seriously (not to mention all of the messages), I don't know what is.
Take a look at the news lately and you'll see this is a phenomenon. A school in Modesto went through the same thing and now this morning, a school in Pleasanton. When this trouble-makers are found (these are not children needing mental health support, these are no-good pranksters) and punished, the rumors will stop. And when law enforcement and school officials are allowed to do their jobs without hundreds of parents and students spreading rumors on social media - maybe we can all get back to learning.
Parents, I hope that you are taking this opportunity to talk to your child about what to do in a situation where they feel in danger, and not just at school. That is what our job is- help our children to be confident and prepared.
I understand that they need to be vague because it is under investigation. But ask your kid about the pic of the graffiti. Many kids have it.
I am thankful they have taken it seriously. I hope the many kids learn a lesson not to post threats or rumors on social media. They added fuel to the fire and now we have a big mess. Back tot he kid who originally wrote this. If you were serious, I pray for you and hope you get the help you need. if it was a prank, see the problems you caused? Not funny in the slightest. Jail time may be in your future. Oh and don't forget you (your parents) may have to pay restitution for all the extra police presence at your school this week.
WE THINK...They think?? You know what they're going to get for "thinking"? Dead teachers...
Some of the comments made in this article sound like whatever is going on isn't being taken seriously. Rumor or not, it should be thoroughly investigated!