By Mandy McFarland Editor
Nappanee and Wakarusa police are still investigating two anonymous notes turned in to the offices of NorthWood High School and NorthWood Middle School on Thursday, May 10 and Friday, May 11, respectively.
“Our most important thing here is the safety of the students and we have to act upon it,” school resource officer Brad Balassa said.
A student discovered the first note at NorthWood High School around noon on May 10. The note contained a threat against the high school, to be carried out the next day, May 11. Principal David Maugel and Balassa called a staff meeting to decide what action should be carried out.

“I immediately contacted the chief of police, who then of course, came with the assistant chief and the detectives,” Balassa said. “We met with the principal, vice principal and superintendent and discussed what action we would take toward the message received.”
The school alerted local TV stations as a means of getting the message out to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.
Students were given the option to stay home from school the next morning, but school was not cancelled.
At 7:20 a.m. students began arriving. All but two entry points were closed off, and officers stationed at those points inspected each student’s backpack. There were seven officers inside of the building plus two  patrolling the parking lot.
Because the note did not specify a time, four officers, including Balassa, remained at the school throughout the day.
Balassa returned to the school at 6 p.m. for added security during the band concert and officers were present during various athletic activities.
“Our intent is to keep the kids safe, as well as the parents,” Nappanee Police Chief Mike Anglin said.
While this was going on, a student at NorthWood Middle School discovered a similar note in the hallway and immediately reported it to the office. The school immediately called the Wakarusa Police Department, as well as the school administration building. The administration also alerted Balassa.
As with NorthWood, the school called a staff meeting to assess the threat and plan a course of action. Unlike at the high school, the threat at the middle school was for after-school hours.
A note was sent home to middle school parents on Tuesday, May 15 alerting them of the threat.
These threats are similar to incidents that took place at Goshen High School and Concord High School the same week. “We’re going to take it very seriously,” Balassa said. “If this person is found, we will seek prosecution. With all of the incidents in the country, we can’t treat this as just a copycat.”
According to Balassa and Anglin, the response from NorthWood High School parents was positive.
“Most of the people told me thank you,” Balassa said. “I never heard anything negative from the parents.”
Teachers and students also reacted positively.
“We had teachers coming up to us and saying, ‘We’ve never felt so safe,’” Balassa said.
Earlier this year, both schools took steps to heighten security by integrating a lock-down system. Visitors to both schools must buzz in using an intercom system. The doors remain locked during school hours, allowing people to exit the buildings but not to enter.