Everett police investigate threat against school superintendent

EVERETT — School Superintendent Carol Whitehead has received a credible death threat, police say, and parents have been notified.

Whitehead, who is in her eighth year as head of the 18,500 school system, reported the "serious, direct" threat about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.

On Thursday evening she recorded messages that were sent by an automated telephone message system to student homes, school employees, business people and community leaders, largely to give reassurance that the threat was against her rather than others.

In the message to parents, she said, "Yesterday, I received a serious, direct threat to my life. I want you to hear from me that this threat was not against any schools, any students or any staff members.

"I assure you, your children are not in danger from this threat nor will this threat place them in danger.

"Law enforcement is investigating the threat and hopes to have the matter resolved shortly."

Police have asked school officials not to discuss the case, said Mary Waggoner, a school district spokeswoman.

"Police advised us to take it very seriously," she added.

Whitehead has been a subject of controversy in a number of matters. Earlier this week, members of the teachers union said they suspected school officials used a surveillance camera to spy on former Cascade High School English and journalism teacher Kay Powers.

Powers was fired after being accused of using school time and computers to help students publish an underground newspaper.