Parents of Belvidere North High School students were alerted — and some alarmed — by a message informing them of a school lockdown Tuesday. Officials at the school put the building on lockdown for about an hour after learning about a threat against one student. The school used an automated message system to reach about 3,500 parents within 15 minutes, officials said. The message, which was delivered by Principal Richard Kirchner, lasted about 40 seconds and told parents, “Due to a threat in the community towards Belvidere North High School, the school is on a lockdown and there is a police presence.” It was just enough information to panic parent Jennifer Wolford. “I about fell over. Getting a message like that. Your school is going on lockdown and there’s no reason why,” said Wolford, who has a son who is senior and daughter who is a freshman at Belvidere North. “My thought was this is Columbine all over again.” In fact, there was very little to fear. Students were safely inside and the person charged with making the threat did not get near school grounds, authorities said. Kenneth Fay, 17, made a threat against a female student, authorities said. He was questioned by the Boone County Sheriff’s Department and later charged with disorderly conduct. He was placed in the Boone County Jail on $20,000 bond. Fay is not a student at North or any school, authorities said. Kirchner said he learned about the threat from sheriff’s deputies earl ...
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Parents of Belvidere North High School students were alerted — and some alarmed — by a message informing them of a school lockdown Tuesday. Officials at the school put the building on lockdown for about an hour after learning about a threat against one student. The school used an automated message system to reach about 3,500 parents within 15 minutes, officials said. The message, which was delivered by Principal Richard Kirchner, lasted about 40 seconds and told parents, “Due to a threat in the community towards Belvidere North High School, the school is on a lockdown and there is a police presence.” It was just enough information to panic parent Jennifer Wolford. “I about fell over. Getting a message like that. Your school is going on lockdown and there’s no reason why,” said Wolford, who has a son who is senior and daughter who is a freshman at Belvidere North. “My thought was this is Columbine all over again.” In fact, there was very little to fear. Students were safely inside and the person charged with making the threat did not get near school grounds, authorities said. Kenneth Fay, 17, made a threat against a female student, authorities said. He was questioned by the Boone County Sheriff’s Department and later charged with disorderly conduct. He was placed in the Boone County Jail on $20,000 bond. Fay is not a student at North or any school, authorities said. Kirchner said he learned about the threat from sheriff’s deputies earl ...