Message from the Superintendent

Dear Kingston City School District Families, 

As you are all likely aware, there has been an increase in false threats initiated by students here in our district as has been the trend toward schools across the country and state. Students of all ages and grade levels have been responsible. While every threat we have investigated has been determined to not be credible, and the students responsible have been held accountable in accordance with our Code of Conduct, it does not mean that they were harmless.   

First and foremost, these threats cause great concern and anxiety to students, parents, families, faculty, and staff and can have long-lasting impacts on their sense of safety. They also distract from the learning environment that we strive to create for our students every day and divert law enforcement resources from other important work. The allocation of school, law enforcement, and community resources needed in these situations often seriously interferes with our ability to effectively achieve our mission - to educate your children.  

What students may see as a “prank” can result in severe consequences, no matter their age or grade level. Threats of any kind–whether they are on social media, written, or verbal–are not only violations of our Code of Conduct and subject to long-term suspension from school, but can also be grounds for criminal charges.   

When the district receives information about a threat, we must take it seriously.  We immediately inform local law enforcement. Our safety team and administration work cooperatively, with law enforcement, to identify the threat and determine if it is credible. If a threat is received during the school day, we will place the building involved, and any building close by, into a lock-out while we investigate.  If a threat is received in the evening, on a weekend or during a holiday, the investigation is conducted, and we communicate with families what has occurred and been determined.  At all times during these events, the safety of our students is our top priority.  If a threat is deemed credible while students are in school, we will remain in lock-out until given the ok by local law enforcement and, in some cases, prepare for an evacuation or coordinated dismissal.  If a threat is deemed credible in the evening, on the weekend, or during a holiday, school would be delayed until the matter is resolved or canceled for that day.   

Specific details of threats are not disclosed to the public for a variety of safety reasons; identifying students can go against student privacy laws, can compromise ongoing investigations by law enforcement and school officials, and can spawn rumors and inspire copy-cat incidents. Our priority is ensuring safety and addressing the threat, rather than publicizing details. 

I am asking all caregivers to discuss the seriousness of making threats or using threatening language with your children to ensure they understand the harm these actions can inflict as well as the resulting consequences. Your reinforcement of this message is essential for helping to prevent these situations and support the stability of our school environments.   

Ensuring the safety of our schools remains our top priority and we will continue to respond to all threats as credible until they are determined otherwise. We will also continue to hold students fully accountable for their actions. Thank you in advance for your attention to this serious matter and your partnership at home to help us prevent future incidents.  

Sincerely,  

Dr. Paul J. Padalino  
Superintendent of Schools