An eighth-grader at Ringgold Middle School has been suspended for making “threatening remarks,” district officials confirmed Wednesday.
The incident occurred Monday afternoon during a bus ride home when the male student referred to writing up a “hit list” of people he was supposedly targeting, according to Superintendent Dr. Karen Polkabla.
Students reported the comments to the bus driver, who then notified Tommy Thompson, the school district's director of security.
Ringgold Middle School administrators investigated Tuesday morning. The student was called into the principal's office and admitted making a comment about writing a list, Polkabla confirmed. A subsequent search of the student's locker did not turn up any list, she said.
“He admitted the remarks,” Polkabla said. “But at no time was there a list.”
A letter dated Wednesday and signed by Ringgold Middle School Principal Mark Alberta was sent to parents of middle school students, informing them of the incident.
Polkabla said she could not disclose the length or terms of the suspension.
“He was given appropriate disciplinary action,” Polkabla said Wednesday evening. “All threats must be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.”
Polkabla credited the students for reporting the comments and the bus driver for following district procedure.
“We encourage students to tell us when things like this happen,” Polkabla said. “They should go to an adult they trust.”
