Parent Concerned with 'Hit List' Student Returning to West Middle School

Andover Public School officials are investigating a West Middle School student who wrote a hit list comprised of students at the school. And one parent of an eighth-grade student at West Middle School says the school community wants more information on the incident and many parents, this parent included, are worried about the safety of their children if this student is immediately returned to school. 

This parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that it is understood that the "aggressor's" personal information is protected, but feels the school should provide more details on the incident itself and how they know the students and staff will be safe. 

“Parents are horrified that this student is/may be returning back to school,” said the West Middle School parent.

Last Friday, Andover School Superintendent Marinel McGrath announced the school has been investigating a student who was in possession of a hit list containing the names of students at West Middle School. In a statement to press, she said that the school has taken the appropriate measures to ensure safety.

However, if the decision was made to let the student back to school after the break, this parent wants to know how they know for sure that the student will not carry through with the plan and that the student body and staff will be safe. 

The parent said the list allegedly had 10 names on it and described when, where and how the student would carry out his plan. The list indicated an specific threat to the student body and staff at the school. 

The plan for bullying at this specific school is not effective, the West Middle School parent says, and that more active measures are needed to address the issue of bullying in the school, besides a flashy public relations campaign. 

Andover Police Lt. James Hashem did not immediately repsond to a request for comment made Friday night. 

McGrath did not immediately respond to a request for an update on the incident at West Middle School on Sunday afternoon. 

Are you the parent of an Andover Public School student? Would you want to know more information about this before letting your student return to school with another student who had planned to carry out a school shooting or the equivalent? Let us know in the comments. 

Check back with Andover.Patch.com for updates on this article.