Prescott PD investigating ‘derogatory,’ racially-charged notes left at charter school

Prescott Police are investigating what has been described as “derogatory notes” with racial and anti-Semitic overtones left in the office at the Mountain Oak Charter School on Thursday, March 21.

Prescott Lead Officer David Fuller said officers are investing significant manpower into finding the culprits behind the disturbing statements that prompted school officials on Thursday to send out a message outlining the steps administrators have taken to properly assure student and staff safety.

One parent notified The Daily Courier about a “death threat” made against their child. A telephone and email message left for the parent was not returned as of press time.

“We are aware and actively investigating this situation to our fullest extent,” Fuller said late Thursday afternoon. “We take something like this very serious and will do everything in our power to find the people responsible. The safety and security of our children is of upmost concern to us.”

Attempts to reach Mountain Oak administrators and board members on Thursday were not successful. However, at about 8:13 a.m., a message prepared by school Director Vonda Chisholm and posted on a social media platform called “ParentSquare” informing parents of what was described as a “serious issue” at the school and “other entities” in Prescott.

“Very derogatory notes have been left in our front office through our mail slot as well as left at other entities in Prescott,” said the letter, which also was delivered to all Mountain Oak parents on Thursday. “The notes contain very critical racial statements, and for the protection and safety of all of our students and staff at Mountain Oak we have made a police report.”

Chisholm assured that the school’s administrators and board leaders have been notified, and though they could not go into details about the content of the notes assured parents that the procedures they have in place “have allowed us to handle this situation with little disruption to our school day.”

“However, in light of all things that go on in our society, we have been and will be continually working with Prescott Police Department to ensure we have the most updated safety protocol, procedures and plans in place,” the statement reads. “We are also in the process of making sure all staff and students are trained in these protocols and procedures in case (the school) was ever in need of a lockdown, lock-out or shelter-in-place.”

Lockdowns prevent anyone entering or leaving the building; lockouts prevent anyone from entering the buildings, and shelter-in-place keeps students in classrooms.

In the statement, administrators strived to assure all parents that they are opting for “extreme diligence” in addressing this matter for the benefit of students, faculty and staff.

“At no time will any language be used that will instill fear or anxiety into our students, but all students will have training in how to follow an adult’s direction during any type of emergency,” the statement read.

Mountain Oak Charter School, 1455 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, has just under 150 students who range from kindergarten through eighth grade.

Follow Nanci Hutson on Twitter @HutsonNanci. Reach her at 928-445-3333 ext. 2041.