MADERA  - Last month the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a student at Howard Elementary School making threats. Deputies responded and conducted an investigation, concluding that the reported threats, which were apparently made several months before, did not rise to the level of criminal threats and no arrest was made. School officials will be handling the situation as a disciplinary matter.

On Wednesday, April 3, new concerns about this threat surfaced; it appears at this point that these concerns are likely a result of miscommunications about another completely unrelated incident that occurred at a different school last week.

School officials and law enforcement are continuing to investigate this matter, but at this time, it is believed that false speculations were circulated and embellished, primarily on social media. There is currently no evidence of any threat to the school, other than the statements made a few months ago that did not amount to a criminal threat.

School threats are always thoroughly investigated with our law enforcement partners and never tolerated by Madera Unified.  The safety and well-being of our students are our highest priority. Extra personnel who can provide social-emotional support will be located on Howard’s campus tomorrow.