Officials find SAMS 'hit list' in bathroom
By Kathi Keys
Staff Writer, The Courier-Tribune
ASHEBORO - South Asheboro Middle School celebrated Asheboro City Schools'
Centennial Tuesday night with a Christmas Choral Concert for present and
former teachers, principals, students and their families and the community.
The celebration was not marred by what occurred at the school earlier
in the day. And there was no mention of the letter which went home to parents
that afternoon to inform them what had taken place.
About 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, SAMS officials discovered what is being described
as a "hit list" in a boys' bathroom.
A school custodian found it and alerted school administrators, according
to Charles Spivey, city schools' director of special programs. He was among
the first to be called, along with School Resource Officer Debbie McKenzie
and city police.
"We immediately notified authorities and began a thorough investigation,"
SAMS Principal Gwen Williams stated in a letter which went home to parents.
"At this time we believe the list to be non-threatening and believe
we have identified the student involved."
Spivey said the "list" was found on the bathroom wall. It was
in pencil and "probably done in a hurry." The communication identified
it as a SAMS student's "Hit List" and contained about six names.
There was no other wording. "There was no real serious effort to be
violent to anybody," he added.
The student the list was attributed to as well as those students named
plus other students were interviewed Tuesday by authorities.
"He didn't know about it and thought it was an effort to get him
in trouble," Spivey said about the student who the list was attributed
to.
"We talked to a lot of kids. We don't have solid proof, but we're
suspicious about one individual," he added.
The investigation which will continue today. Asheboro Police Det. Ron
Nicholson is assisting school officials in the probe.
There was no lockdown at the school, but school officials felt parents
needed to be personally advised of the situation rather than hear about
it second-hand. Parents of students on the list were notified by phone.
"We take student safety very seriously and will take all necessary
action to assure student safety. In light of the increased media attention
to similar situations in surrounding systems, we will work hard to keep
you well informed," Williams said in the letter to parents.
Both Williams and Spivey said parents with questions or information to
assist in the investigation are advised to call the school or the Central
Office.
The student responsible for creating the list faces possible suspension
from school.
"We are not ignoring it," Spivey said. "We are confident
about the safety of the students."
The nearly 200 individuals who turned out Tuesday night for SAMS' Centennial
celebration listened to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders sing a wide
variety of holiday tunes under the direction of choral director Lisa Qualls.
Chris Kelly of Rock 92, who attended SAMS when it was Asheboro Junior
High School in 1984-85, served as master of ceremonies.
Other activities followed the concert - musical entertainment in the
school gym, refreshments in the school cafeteria, memorabilia in the office
lobby and a PowerPoint presentation in the media center.
SAMS originally opened in its present location as Asheboro Junior High
School in 1962.
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