By 
The Watertown Police Department was involved in an incident in local schools on Friday, Jan. 24 for the third time in less than two weeks.
The Watertown School District sent automated phone calls and emails on Jan. 24 that school officials and law enforcement were made aware of a report of a middle school student posting a threat against schools on social media. Following an investigation, law enforcement said the object in question was fake and was located off school grounds.
Those responsible for the threat have been taken into custody and have been charged. In addition to legal consequences, those responsible also face school disciplinary procedures.
Dr. Jeff Danielsen, superintendent of the Watertown School District, said in the messages to parents: “At no time were students actually in danger, and should any threat have been substantiated, parents would have been notified.” The Watertown School District takes the safety of its students very seriously and remains committed to maintaining a secure environment for all students.
Two Watertown elementary school staff members were arrested by Watertown police following separate incidents at different schools on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16.
A custodian at Mellette Elementary School in Watertown was arrested on Wednesday, Jan 15, for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The staff member immediately resigned and has been barred from school grounds.
The next day, Thursday, Jan. 16, Danielsen said one of McKinley Elementary School’s teachers was arrested for simple assault involving a bruise on a student at McKinley.
The teacher has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation and the completion of the legal process.
Concerns or questions can be directed to Danielsen at the school, 605-882-6312 ext. 1210.
