Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Ed Toman is wanting to make sure Wetzel County parents know that the safety and well being of their children is the school system’s number one priority.

The superintendent’s Jan. 29 morning statement comes on the heels of news that law enforcement is investigating alleged social media threats against Valley High School.

Toman said there have been “some alarming issues that have transpired over the past few days related to student threats.”

“I feel it is necessary to calm valid concerns, many concerns raised by social media posts.”

Toman said Wetzel County Schools and the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office have been working tirelessly since being made aware of recent threats “to ensure our students and staff are safe.” Toman said the sheriff’s office has determined the schools are safe for attendance. He said “absent 100 percent assurance of safety, students would not be in attendance.”

“As a parent myself, trust me, student safety is a priority.”

As in his previous statement, Toman reminded the public that the school system cannot provide details of the recent situations due to the fact “it relates to minors and a criminal investigation continues.”

Toman said the students involved “are not in attendance.”

He noted that even if the conduct of the students had only the intentions to “prank, any type of threat, whether intended to be carried out, or otherwise, is taken extremely serious and will have consequences.”

Toman said those with any questions or concerns may feel free to contact him directly at 304-815-8492.

“I look forward to our schools returning to normalcy tomorrow,” he said.

As previously reported, Wetzel County Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Haught and Wetzel County Schools Superintendent Ed Toman said the threats involving Valley High School were made in an online chatroom, by juveniles.

Toman had said though the threats were suspicious and warranted investigation, “law enforcement determined that the school was safe for students to attend and took appropriate action to safeguard students.”

Toman said school officials are always proactive regarding student safety. “It doesn’t take the recent national school shootings to heighten our school system’s awareness,” Toman noted. “Our employees are vigilant in that regard and always maintain heightened awareness.”

Toman said all threats are taken seriously, and the school’s procedure of ensuring the safety of students and staff immediately took place “upon notification, flawlessly.”

Toman said law enforcement was notified, including Valley’s Prevention Resource Officer “that we’re greatly appreciative to have in place.”

Prosecutor Haught agreed. “I am confident that law enforcement and school personnel acted appropriately and out of an abundance of caution to make sure the school was an continues to be safe,” he said.

Toman had said he cannot speak as to the current status of law enforcement’s investigation, due to the law enforcement investigation being a separate process from the school’s disciplinary process. He expressed appreciation of law enforcement’s “immediate and tireless action.”

“We are thankful for our sheriff’s department,” the superintendent said.

Toman said since the investigation is ongoing and involves students, “law enforcement is prohibited from providing information as well.” The superintendent said various student confidentiality laws prohibit him from providing the names of students and what action will be taken at the school level.

“All juvenile cases are confidential so I cannot by law comment on the same,” Haught had said.

Haught said his office will take appropriate action to charge any violations of law, while the school system has assured him that it will take appropriate disciplinary action.

Toman said the administration will comply with the Student Code of Conduct, West Virginia Safe Schools Act, and West Virginia Department of Education policy.

“When events like these take place, we make every effort to notify parents who understandably have concerns, and we trust that families know that student and staff safety is always our top priority.”

Haught and Toman also stressed the importance of parents being aware of their children’s online social media activities.

Likewise, Haught had said he urges “parents to take a more active role in restricting and monitoring their children’s social media and internet activities and communications. Anyone having information regarding suspicious internet or social media activity or content that pertains to the safety of our school, an individual or our community should immediately contact law enforcement.”

Haught said even if intended as a “prank,” the penalties “for such conduct are severe.”

“In this day and age any type of threat, whether intended to be carried out, or otherwise, is taken extremely seriously and will have consequences.”

Haught also urged the public “not to gossip, overreact, or make the situation worse by spreading misinformation or speculation.”