dec2012 northampton high school pledge.JPG

This is the text of the pledge Northampton High School students were asked to write after the discovery of a threatening note last month. The students' handwritten pledges are being used by the Northampton Police Department in its investigation of the threat.

NORTHAMPTON — In response to a public records request by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Northampton School Department has released the text of a pledge written by students and used by police in their investigation of a threat at Northampton High School.

William Newman

On Jan. 16, William Newman, who heads the Western Massachusetts office of the ACLU, wrote to the School Department requesting electronic and written documents under the state's public records law concerning a pledge that students were asked to write after police and school administration evacuated the high school on Dec. 21. Officials took that action after some students reported finding a written threat in the school bathroom. The incident took place five days after a gunman killed 20 students at teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Police promised to take the threat seriously, noting that such crimes are punishable by a minimum of three years in jail. Police Chief Russell P. Sienkiewicz also said it is part of his department’s mission to identify and help troubled individuals.

Students at the high school were asked to write a statement referring to the threat and acknowledging that they take such matters seriously. Police have said they intend to use the writing samples in their investigation. Police have not released the text of the threat, saying it is evidence in the case.

Newman said the pledge raised questions about the rights of the students who wrote them, their parents and the teachers who helped administer it. In the letter, which was addressed to Superintendent Brian L. Salzer, High School Principal Nancy Athas and Vice Principal Bryan Lombardi, Newman demanded all written and electronic records or communications pertaining to the matter, including the final version of the pledge itself and any other drafts, directions and instructions to teachers.

Newman also demanded information regarding students who raised questions about the pledge and any records as to how many students agreed to write the statement, how many refused and any reasons stated by those who declined.

Newman also asked for information regarding the decision not to inform students and parents about the law enforcement uses of the pledge.

“To this day, parents have not been informed,” he said.

On Friday, Salzer sent Newman a reply that included the text of the statement students were asked to write and an email from Lombardi to the staff dated Dec. 21 saying that police had asked for the writing sample. In his email, Lombardi specifies that students must print the statement in their own hand and not write cursively.

Salzer also included his own statement, in which he acknowledged that "fair criticisms" have been raised about the pledge but stated that his bottom line is concern about the safety of students. He noted that the Northwestern District Attorney's Office confirmed the legality of asking students to write the pledge beforehand.

According to Salzer, the idea was first raised at a faculty meeting attended by police. The superintendent told Newman that no documentation exists concerning most of his demands.

“I support the work of our high school teachers, administrators and police officers,” Salzer said. “We have a high quality group of professionals working for the people of Northampton.”

Northampton School Superintendent response to ACLU'S William Newman by masslive