Southwest Valley student charged; high school principal resigns

CORNING - A Southwest Valley school student was charged with a threat of terrorism Saturday according to a press release Wednesday from the Adams County Sheriff’s Department.

School Superintendent Chris Fenster stated Monday he was informed Friday of a student who made a threat of violence at the high school. The threat was discovered April 13 according to Fenster, but not reported to law enforcement or school administration until after school Friday.

The sheriff’s office and Fenster were notified a student threatening to harm other students and staff at Southwest Valley High School.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office determined the threat was made approximately two to three weeks prior. Effective Saturday, the student will no longer be allowed on school grounds and is on GPS monitoring by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Juvenile Court Services. Safeguards were immediately put in place to ensure the safety of all Southwest Valley students and staff.

On Monday, to provide the continued safety of all students and stuff at Southwest Valley School District, extra law enforcement was put in place. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office did this in conjunction with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to alleviate any uncertainty within both the Corning and Villisca communities since both are in the Southwest Valley district. For the remainder of the school year, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office will maintain a daily presence within the Southwest Valley School District for safety and to provide staff and students support.

Monday afternoon, Fenster notified the Sheriff’s Office about alleged threatening posts on social media by the same student. The sheriff’s office began investigating the threat immediately. The sheriff’s office collaborated with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the alleged threats Monday afternoon and throughout the day on Tuesday.

During the Corning school board meeting Monday, the resignation of high school principal and football coach Anthony Donahoo was approved effective the end of the school year. School officials declined to comment further on the resignation.

Wednesday, informational meetings were held with the high school students and staff to provide transparency to the situation and offer additional support. Additional security measures will be implemented during all Southwest Valley activities, including prom and graduation.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office continues to work with the Southwest Valley School District.