Montgomery County Public Schools boosts discipline policy amid rise of violent incidents

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is enacting sweeping changes to its student discipline policy in response to a recent uptick in violent incidents, including bomb threats, weapons on campus, and assaults on staff. S

Starting this fall, students who commit the most serious offenses could face long-term suspension or even expulsion. The updated Code of Conduct reclassifies threats and violent actions as Level 4 or 5 violations — the highest disciplinary categories under the district’s new guidelines.

Offenses such as making bomb threats, physically assaulting school personnel, or bringing weapons onto school property will now carry the most severe consequences.

The move comes after several alarming events during the current school year.

At Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, two lockdowns in one week in February forced administrators and first responders into emergency mode — one incident involved shots fired near campus, and another centered around a student bringing an airsoft gun to school. These kinds of threats used to be considered minor, but that’s no longer the case.

Data supports the shift. Last year, MCPS recorded 221 weapon-related incidents — an 11% increase over the previous year. Bomb threats also saw a similar rise...

https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-county-public-schools-mcps-bomb-threats-weapons-on-campus-and-assaults-on-staff-bethesda-chevy-chase-high-school-lockdown-counseling-services-behavior-intervention-programs-weapons-related-incidents-alternative-learning-options

Bethesda Teen Charged in Connection with School Bomb Threats

 For Immediate Release: Monday, August 26, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD - A 15-year-old Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School student has been charged in connection with bomb threats made against the school on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The threats led to a lockdown of the school and the deployment of SWAT, K-9 units, and other resources to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Following a joint investigation by the Montgomery County Department of Police - Behavioral Assessment and Administrative Unit and the FBI's Baltimore Field Office, a 12-year-old Pennsylvania boy was identified as the caller.

The two are also responsible for bomb threats made to Walt Whitman High School and Bethesda Elementary School on Friday, May 17.

The 15-year-old is accused of soliciting help on social media to have someone to call in a bomb threat at his school, and paying the 12-year-old an undisclosed dollar amount. The Bethesda teen has been charged with multiple counts, including threats of mass violence, making a false statement, extortion and other felony charges related to the event.

During the incident, the 15-year-old allegedly communicated in real-time with the 12-year-old, providing information, updates and instructions as the threats were being made. The caller demanded that a certain dollar amount be paid to prevent bombs from detonating at the school.

Maryland state law prohibits charges from being filed against the 12-year-old. However, the actions of both individuals caused disruption to the school day, forcing a lockdown, and taking an emotional toll on the students, staff, and the community. After a search of the campus, it was determined that no bombs were present, and students were dismissed for the day.

The 15-year-old was charged accordingly and released to his family.

 

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Montgomery County Student Charged Following Bomb Threat

 For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD - On Friday, June 7, 2024, at approximately 10:45 a.m., Montgomery County Police were dispatched to Walt Whitman High School, located in the 7100 block of Whittier Blvd in Bethesda, following a bomb threat.

As a result of the threat, school administrators evacuated staff and students. The threat was determined to be not valid, and there is no ongoing danger to the school.

 

During the course of the investigation, which was led by the Montgomery County Department of Police Behavioral Assessment and Administrative Unit, a 15-year-old Montgomery County Public Schools student was identified as the suspect.

The student has been charged with threats of mass violence and disrupting school operations. Because of their status as a juvenile, the identity of the student is not being released. The case will be processed through the Department of Juvenile Services for disposition.

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https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail_Pol.aspx?Item_ID=45386

Students Forced to Cope With Frequent Bomb Threats

As Montgomery County Police officers and their dogs searched yet another school for bombs – on Thursday it was Paint Branch High School – several students told MCM what it was like to live through these events.

Three emailed bomb threats to Montgomery Blair High School proved to be invalid, but not before police and school security spent time combing through the building and students lost class time sheltering in place or evacuating their school building.

Jack (MCM is not using the last names of any of the students) said he has difficulty getting out of bed to come to school in the morning.

When alerted to a recent possible bomb, Jack recalled, “I tensed up, and I froze. I texted my mom I love her.” While standing outside the McDonald’s on University Boulevard by his school Thursday, he added, “How cruel of him, out of nowhere to do it to us.”..

Students Forced to Cope With Frequent Bomb Threats - Montgomery Community Media (mymcmedia.org)

Person Identified in Paint Branch High School Bomb Threat

 

For Immediate Release: Friday, October 27, 2023

Gaithersburg, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section have identified a 15-year-old as the individual responsible for making the bomb threat against Paint Branch High School on Thursday, October 26, 2023.  

 

At approximately 10:36 am, 3rd District officers, K-9 units, and Community Engagement Officers responded to the location for the report of a bomb threat that was made over the phone.  

 

After the school was evacuated, officers searched the school and determined that the threat was invalid. Students, teachers, and staff then returned to their normal curricular activities.  

 

With the assistance of Montgomery County Public Schools staff, detectives identified the 15-year-old as the individual who made the bomb threat against the school.

 

After admitting responsibility, the 15-year-old has been charged as a juvenile with Threats of Mass Violence and released to the custody of the parents. This case has been forwarded to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services for review.  

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Release ID: 23-628
Media Contact: CC 

Montgomery County Maryland (montgomerycountymd.gov)

Police Chief on 12-Year-Old: It is disheartening to accept that the individual responsible for disrupting the educational process and instilling fear in our community was well aware of the legal limitations surrounding their age. They understood that they could not be charged under current Maryland statutes.

 

Statement From Chief Marcus Jones Regarding Person Identified in School Bomb Threats

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 25, 2023

The person responsible for multiple bomb threats targeting Montgomery Blair High School and Oak View Elementary School has been identified.

On October 13,16, 17, 23 and 24, Montgomery County Public Schools received threats sent via email to Montgomery Blair High School. Similarly, on October 15, Oak View Elementary School and Silver Spring International School were also targeted with a separate email threat. This reckless and dangerous behavior posed a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our schools and students.

Detectives from the 3rd District Investigative Section, with the assistance of Montgomery County Public Schools IT staff, identified a 12-year-old as the individual responsible for all seven bomb threats. Detectives spoke with the individual, who admitted responsibility, however, in the state of Maryland, children under the age of 13 can only be charged with offenses that constitute a "crime of violence."

 

It is disheartening to accept that the individual responsible for disrupting the educational process and instilling fear in our community was well aware of the legal limitations surrounding their age. They understood that they could not be charged under current Maryland statutes.

 

In addition to the fear and chaos these threats caused, it is important to acknowledge the significant financial and operational burden each incident placed on our department. Dispatching officers and K-9 units to investigate these threats, especially when our resources are already stretched thin, diverted our personnel away from other pressing calls for service. This diversion of resources is unacceptable, and it jeopardizes the safety of our community.

I commend the hard work and dedication of the 3rd District detectives and Montgomery County Public Schools staff in their efforts to identify and locate the young person responsible for these crimes.

 

The safety of our community remains our foremost priority, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect and serve our residents.

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Release ID: 23-618
Media Contact: S.D. Goff  
Categories: public-statement

Montgomery County Maryland (montgomerycountymd.gov)