Two West Jordan Middle School students have been suspended from school for allegedly sending an e-mail message to the White House that contained a threat on President Clinton's life.
The threat -- sent by two eighth-grade girls from a computer in the school's media center -- was sent Nov. 24, school officials confirmed.The following day, a Secret Service agent contacted school officials.
"We didn't know anything about it until the Secret Service showed up," principal Dana Bickmore said. "At that point we began the investigation and determined the time and place it happened."
Computers at the school are configured in such a way that usage by students can be tracked, Bickmore said.
The students could eventually be expelled, if the completed investigation by the district deems that an appropriate punishment, Bickmore said.
"They thought it was funny, but we certainly don't," she said. "Please emphasize that this is not behavior we consider acceptable."
Threats to the president via the Internet are not uncommon, and many turn out to be simple prank by juveniles, said Dennis Crandall, resident agent in charge of the Salt Lake office of the Secret Service.
"In Utah, I'd say we see this once or twice a year. I can think of five or six over the last several years, and we had a really bad one up at the University of Utah that went out globally," he said. "It's basically a nuisance prank, but we don't take these things lightly."
In this case, Crandall said, the agency considers the case closed. The case will be reviewed with the U.S. Attorney's Office, but it is not likely the students will face any criminal charges, he said.
"It's not like we're throwing the book at anybody. They are juveniles, so that's a whole different judicial process, especially in the federal system. But certainly, they'll be admonished," he said.
The Secret Service tries not make a fuss about these kind of incidents because they tend to have a "behavioral contagion" factor that prompts others -- especially kids -- to make similar threats, Crandall said.
This is the first year that West Jordan Middle School students have had Internet access, Bickmore said. Teachers and administrators have tried to stress responsible use of the service among students.
Prior to getting permission to use the Internet students are required to read and sign an "appropriate usage agreement statement" that outlines school policy about using the service, she said.
"We take very seriously any use of the Internet or e-mail," Bickmore said. "Students need to know that we have the ability to track this and will deal with them."
Apparently, the two students involved were doing research for a class and had accessed an "appropriate" Web site prior to sending the threat, Bickmore said.
A meeting is planned with the students, their parents, school and district administrators and the Secret Service to discuss the incident, she added. Bickmore said she had not previously dealt with these students for any kind of disciplinary problems or inappropriate behavior at school.
The students' suspension is indefinite pending a completed school district investigation.