More Central IL school districts address threat trend

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Two more school districts in Central Illinois are coming out with statements to say they too received threats this week or to address the trend that impacted several schools throughout the region.

Tip Reedy, Superintendent of the Williamsville-Sherman CUSD, said on Facebook Friday that the district’s offices fielded “communications regarding concerns for student safety” that morning. He added that there has been a conversation floating around the community that the schools are unsafe and have been on soft lockdowns.

These conversations are unfounded, Reedy said and the rumors are not true.

“Anytime a potential threat is communicated to our schools, the building administration and local police departments aggressively and thoroughly investigate,” Reedy said. “We do have daily police presence from the Williamsville Police Department and Sherman Police Department at all our schools.”

Tim Condron, Superintendent of the Mattoon CUSD, also published a statement regarding the threats. He said to his knowledge, the district wasn’t aware of any threats toward them specifically, but he did say administrators were taking the situation very seriously and implementing extra precautions.

“We encourage anyone who sees or hears anything that could pose a potential school safety issue to immediately notify a teacher, staff member, administrator, or local law enforcement,” Condron said. “Please note that any threats that are made against our schools — whether it occurs on social media, in conversation, or any other format — carry serious legal and disciplinary consequences. As a district, we handle all incidents in collaboration with the Mattoon Police Department.”

Condron added that if any threat received, they will provide families with as much information as possible.

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