Tensions at Sprague High School Worsen After 'Hit List' is Found in Classroom

Last month, someone left a note in a classroom that made a threat against the school on 6-6-06.

Sprague Principal Cheryl Bower says they will honor parent's request if they call in and excuse their student or students for the day Photo By: Tim King

(SALEM) - A safety plan is in place, however tension and fear is running high for students and staff of Sprague High School, after a `hit list" containing students and staff members names was found in a classroom last week.

School officials say so far they have made NO connection between the `hit list" and a note found last month, that made a threat against the school on 6-6-06.

Salem-Keizer School District spokesman Jay Remy says they cannot release that information contained in the threat note, or how many people were on the list, because the cases are being handled as criminal investigations. Sprague high sophomore Christina Petersen says she and her friends are concerned by the two notes. She said she hopes her parents will allow her to stay home from school on Tuesday.

Her brother, Rian, a freshman, says he isn`t worried and will attend school that day.

Sprague staff, campus security and Salem police have formulated a campus safety security plan for Monday and Tuesday.

Anyone wishing to enter Sprague will have to do so through the school's front doors, all other doors will be locked.

Students will not be allowed to carry backpacks, duffle bags, or coat to class, carried items must remain in student lockers.

Additional security staff will be on-hand two days this week, assigned to specific duties at Sprague High.

Parents have also volunteered their time to help out throughout the week doing various things to make students feel safe while at school.

Sprague Principal Cheryl Bower says they will honor parent's request if they call in and excuse their student or students for the day.

Students will have the opportunity to make up any/all work that was covered that day without penalty � as long as their absence is excused.

June 6th is also a senior final exam day and it is very important for seniors to complete their finals, Bower said.

Seniors will need to arrange for an alternate exam time with their individual teachers if they are absent.

All finals MUST be completed by June 8th in order to be cleared to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Bower and Salem police are still searching for the writer or writers of the notes.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Salem police, you can remain anonymous.

Also, there are reports of a number of students from around the Salem-Keizer School District posting information on myspace.com about the Sprague threats and `rumored" threats made against their schools on 6-6-06.

Anyone with any credible information about any sort of threat or harm made against a school, student, or staff member should contact police, or a school official immediately.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Sprague incidents, or if you are a parent that can volunteer your time to help out this week, call the Sprague High School main office at (503) 399-3261.