Wisconsin Heights cancels classes over threat

Updated 4:06 p.m., 1/24/25.   Wisconsin Heights School District cancelled classes for all students Friday, January 24, 2025 “as a precautionary measure due to a potential threat of school violence,” according to a communication from District Administrator Dr. Michelle McGrath that was issued at around 10 a.m.. The Dane County Sherriff’s Department said in their parallel press release, released around the same time, “the information was obtained when a citizen contacted the Sheriff’s Office, which led to a coordinated response with the Office of School Safety.” The district’s communication continued, “upon learning of this threat, the district immediately followed its established safety policies and procedures. Our team worked closely with law enforcement and staff to assess the situation and ensure the safety of all students and staff members.” The Sherif’s Department adds, “Dane County … deputies worked closely with school officials to interview students connected to the potential threat. It was ultimately determined that there was no immediate danger at the school.” McGrath said, “The decision to close our district buildings today was made with the utmost priority placed on maintaining a secure environment for everyone on our campuses.” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett added, “In this situation, the systems in place worked exactly as they should. Someone recognized a potential threat to safety at Wisconsin Heights and went through the proper channels to alert local authorities and the school.” The department’s press release notes, “Nothing criminal could be substantiated, and Wisconsin Heights administrators will be handling any disciplinary action.” At 4 p.m. on the same day, McGrath released a subsequent communication. It read, in part “After a thorough investigation and collaboration with law enforcement, we have determined that there is no current safety threat to our school. The campus is safe, and we will resume normal activities moving forward. After-school activities will take place as scheduled this evening [1/24/25].” The communication continued: “As we look ahead to Monday, we will be working together to ensure a smooth return to school for all students. We are putting a reentry plan in place to help guide this process and ensure that our staff and students feel supported as they come back.” McGrath said, “It’s important that we continue to foster a welcoming environment for everyone, and your support will be critical in this effort.” McGrath emphasized that “the swift response to this incident was made possible thanks to the Speak Up, Speak Out program, which allowed us to quickly address the concern and work closely with law enforcement. Please remember that any threat to school safety will always be taken seriously, and we will continue to prioritize the well-being of our entire school community.” The Dane County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public of the Speak Up Speak Out Wisconsin website (https://speakup.widoj.gov), a one-stop resource for reporting concerns and threats. The center is staffed around the clock to respond to tips.Wisconsin Heights School District cancelled classes for all students Friday, January 24, 2025 “as a precautionary measure due to a potential threat of school violence,” according to a communication from District Administrator Dr. Michelle McGrath. The Dane County Sherriff’s Department said in their parallel press release, “the information was obtained when a citizen contacted the Sheriff’s Office, which led to a coordinated response with the Office of School Safety.” The district’s communication continues, “upon learning of this threat, the district immediately followed its established safety policies and procedures. Our team worked closely with law enforcement and staff to assess the situation and ensure the safety of all students and staff members.” The Sherif’s Department adds, “Dane County … deputies worked closely with school officials to interview students connected to the potential threat. It was ultimately determined that there was no immediate danger at the school.” McGrath said, “The decision to close our district buildings today was made with the utmost priority placed on maintaining a secure environment for everyone on our campuses.” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett added, “In this situation, the systems in place worked exactly as they should. Someone recognized a potential threat to safety at Wisconsin Heights and went through the proper channels to alert local authorities and the school.” The department’s press release notes, “Nothing criminal could be substantiated, and Wisconsin Heights administrators will be handling any disciplinary action.” The Dane County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public of the Speak Up Speak Out Wisconsin website (https://speakup.widoj.gov), a one-stop resource for reporting concerns and threats. The center is staffed around the clock to respond to tips. McGrath ended the communication with families with “The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority, and we will continue to follow all necessary protocols to protect our school community.”