ETHS Evaluates Incoming Student Who Made 'Hit List'

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston Township High School administrators contacted parents last week to discuss a boy who was removed from classes at Chute Middle School for 30 days in April after making a "hit list" and "safe list" of students and staff, WGN reported Monday. Family members of an incoming freshman told the station an ETHS dean called Friday to ask specific questions about the student, apparently to determine whether he should be allowed to begin school Wednesday with classmates he allegedly threatened.

At the time, Chute administrators said they had been "alerted that a student was in possession of a list that included both student and staff names that caused great concern," according to an email to parents first posted by the station and later deleted without explanation.

Administrators discussed the list with eighth graders, with some saying they believed the list was just a joke. The administrators said this list did not "in and of itself" show there was any intent or plan to cause harm, but some parents told the station they felt Evanston/Skokie School District 65 officials should have informed them of the incident in the spring.

Evanston police confirmed an investigation into the incident had been closed.

UPDATE: ETHS Superintendent Eric Witherspoon released a statement about the matter Tuesday, which reads, in part:

Unfortunately, we learned recently through other sources about an incident involving a former student at Chute Middle School four months ago in the spring that presented a risk to students and staff. We have learned that, at that time, D65 notified the Chute families in a letter about a student who had made a “list” and they indicated having “concerns for this student and we are putting in place the necessary supports for this student.”

Once ETHS learned about this “list,” we took immediate action and notified the police to gather information from D65 and from the Evanston Police Department. This issue has recently become public because ETHS has been doing its due diligence by notifying parents and students whose names were on the “list” to assess the situation, the potential risk, and their fear. We have offered support to each of the students and families who were contacted.

Schools have legal authority to address situations like this, and we always take safety concerns seriously.

As you know, we cannot give specific details about a student personnel issue or a specific disciplinary or placement decision. Moreover, we have legal due process requirements and steps that we follow carefully. But please know that this would not even be a news story four months later if ETHS were not committed to contacting families whenever there is an investigation that may involve their child. We launched a full-blown investigation and we are resolute to do what is required to protect our students and staff.