Homecoming brings one-sided violence to school

WAPPINGER – Threats of violence toward Ketcham High School in advance of Friday night’s Homecoming Game against their cross-town rivals from John Jay High School caused Wappinger Central School District (WCSD) Superintendent Dr. Dwight Bonk to cancel the game.   Social media threats ahead of the game said “They were going to bring a gun to the Roy C. Ketcham homecoming game, and we’ll see what happens.”

The threat put emergency plans into action and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), working with WCSD administration evacuated the school and canceled Friday’s game and homecoming dance.

According to Dr. Bonk, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and district administration worked for 14 hours to determine the individual responsible for the violent threat. The individuals responsible for the threat have been identified by the sheriff’s office and the investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday morning, the relieved superintendent announced that the game and dance would happen on Saturday.  “We are very grateful to Sheriff Imperati and the sheriff’s department for their efforts. I am very proud of our students, staff, and families who worked together to make the game and other homecoming events a reality!”

The relationship between Dr. Bonk, the school district, and the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office resulted in a complement of school safety measures, including additional School Resource Officers (SROs) assigned throughout the district at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

Regarding Friday’s incident, Sheriff Imperati touted the relationship.  “The result of this investigation is due to the partnership between Wappingers Central School District and the DCSO. With an SRO assigned to Ketcham High School and the positive working relationship with the administration and the SRO, a tragedy was averted.”  Imperati, like Bonk, praised the team that prevented any violence.  “I want to thank Dr Bonk and his administration…