Preston High School

As school-based threats continue to become a growing concern across the Mountain State and within the Preston County Schools community, the student body at Preston High School was addressed during morning assemblies on September 20th, a week following threats that led to the early dismissal of students and a remote learning day being called. In a panel moderated by senior Scarlett Corley, members including Trooper Boggs, Sheriff Fields, Preston County Prosecutor Jay Shay, and Public Defender Sam Hess, answered questions relating to their roles when threats are made, the investigation into those threats, then ultimately, how an individual who makes those threats will be handled in accordance with the law, both legally and through the school system. Principal of Preston High School Todd Seymour wanted to assure students that it would be his recommendation to the Board that any student who makes such "terroristic threats" would no longer be permitted to attend in-person learning in Preston County and would not be permitted back on school grounds. Students also learned from the panel that social media activity, although deleted, can be recovered at least 6 months out, but usually longer. Preston County Prosecutor Shay and Public Defender Hess did not sugar-coat the consequences that students who make such threats could and would receive by not only explaining the legal process, charges, and that most will be recommended, if not all to be charged as adults, but even what the detention process looks like for those taken into custody. Each member of the panel reiterated multiple times that threats of a terroristic nature is a felony, carries the weight of being a felony charge, and would follow the students for their rest of their lives, so even if made in a joking manner, this joke could cost them their futures. The feelings following the briefs from both students and staff were that this was a necessary assembly for the students, not only to learn, but many left more at ease that both the school system and county are taking these threats seriously. The assemblies concluded with remarks from Superintendent of PCS Brad Martin where he expressed repeatedly that he takes the charge of caring for ALL of our students very seriously and we will continue to do what's necessary to not only educate, but to protect and put at ease our student body.