WESTMONT HILLTOP DR. TIMOTHY P.

WILLIAMS
Superintendent

SCHOOL DISTRICT DONALD IRWIN, JR.

Business Manager

112 Lindberg Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15905

814.255.6751 / 814.255.7735 fax AMY D. BROWN
Education is the focus and pride of our community. www.whsd.org Director of Curriculum

December 11, 2017

JOINT PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF WESTMONT HILLTOP SCHOOL DISTRICT AND

UPPER YODER POLICE DEPARTMENT

Late Sunday night, December 10, 2017, the Upper Yoder Police Department (UYPD) contacted the
Westmont Hilltop School District with information that the Jr./Sr. High School student body may be
at risk of harm on Monday, December 11, 2017. The UYPD worked through the night and into the
day to make a determination about the threats credibility.

As of 4:00 am. Monday morning, UYPD was unable to make such a determination due to the
unavailability of witnesses. Consequently, the school district erred on the side of caution and
decided to cancel school for the day while the UYPD continued its investigation.

By 1:00 pm Monday afternoon, the UYPD completed its investigation, which involved the
interviewing of eleven witnesses and the reviewing of online postings. The UYPD determined that
the perceived threat was not credible as it was a result of two unrelated social media posts that
wrongfully gave the impression of a threat.

We are mindful of the angst and inconvenience this situation has caused, but we believe that we
took the appropriate action to safeguard our students. No threat exists related to this incident.

As the perceived threat is unfounded, school will open again Tuesday morning. We apologize for
any inconvenience this situation may have caused.

Timothy P. Williams, Ed. D.

Superintendent
Westmont Hilltop School District

Don Hess
Police Chief
Upper Yoder Police Department

An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the Westmont Hilltop School District not to discriminate in employment or program services for reasons of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, or handicapping condition.