News Release: Nikiski Schools update

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Nikiski schools update II

Soldotna, May 9, 2014, 5:00 PM—The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) can confirm that the person who is the subject of an investigation of inappropriate contact between a teacher and a student is the same suicidal person Alaska State Troopers (AST) were searching for yesterday.
KPBSD can also confirm that AST contacted the person at noon today. He was in his vehicle parked on the Kenai Spur Highway. Based on the fact that he was suffering from apparent physical injuries, the trooper called for an ambulance which transported him to a hospital where he is undergoing treatment for his injuries. He is not in custody of the troopers at this time, and neither the school district nor the troopers are releasing his name.
The case is still under investigation.
On 05-08-2014, the AST Department of Public Safety posted on their website: “On 5/8/2014 around noon, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a suicidal adult male in the Nikiski area. The man reportedly threatened to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pill and alcohol. The man had been at the local high school earlier in the day. Troopers responded to the school in an attempt to locate the individual. The man is described as a white, adult male with dark hair. He is believed to be in a dark red, extended cab 1998 Dodge Dakota with a dented driver’s door. The vehicle has a license plate with the last three number 396. Anyone with information regarding the location of this vehicle is encouraged to contact law enforcement immediately by calling 9-1-1.”

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Nikiski schools update I

Soldotna, May 9, 2014, 1:00 PM—An internal KPBSD investigation began during the morning of Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Nikiski Middle-High School, which resulted in a call to the State Troopers.
The school district report to the Alaska State Troopers (AST) resulted in AST beginning an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior between a teacher and a student.
Further information resulted in the school district initiating precautionary lockdowns at both Nikiski Middle-High School and Nikiski North Star Elementary School. Throughout the afternoon the school administrators and district office continued to communicate with law enforcement.
Student and staff safety is a priority in KPBSD schools, and the district will always act proactively to keep students safe. We thank the parents, staff, students, and community for their patience and understanding during a stressful time on Thursday at our schools as we assessed the unfolding situation.
At this time, Friday, May 09, 2014, the school district is continuing to cooperate with AST in an ongoing investigation.
The teacher involved with the investigation is on administrative leave. Further updates will be provided when and if additional details are available and can be made public.
On 05-08-2014, the AST Department of Public Safety posted on their website: “On 5/8/2014 around noon, the Alaska State Troopers received a report of a suicidal adult male in the Nikiski area. The man reportedly threatened to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pill and alcohol. The man had been at the local high school earlier in the day. Troopers responded to the school in an attempt to locate the individual. The man is described as a white, adult male with dark hair. He is believed to be in a dark red, extended cab 1998 Dodge Dakota with a dented driver’s door. The vehicle has a license plate with the last three number 396. Anyone with information regarding the location of this vehicle is encouraged to contact law enforcement immediately by calling 9-1-1.”

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Media Release: KPBSD 2014_05_09 Nikiski Schools Updated Information

Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, communications specialist, 907.714.8888
Pegge@kpbsd.org
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District