Greenwich Teacher Facing Threat Charge

Updated: 8:40 a.m., June 18, 2013:

The following is a memo from Greenwich School Superintendent William McKersie to Western Middle School parents regarding security at the school, following the arrest of social studies teacher Stacey Goodnow. She is accused of leaving a voicemail for a fellow teacher saying she was ready to "shoot up that school."

"Dear WMS Community:

I understand that there are safety concerns regarding the Stacey Goodnow
situation.  The safety of WMS students, staff and parents is our top
priority and has been since this situation first emerged.

Please be assured that the GPD and the GPS security teams are fully
and closely monitoring the situation, as they have for several days.
The GPD has made sure that there have been no risks of any kind from
this situation for anyone in the WMS community.

To help assure students, staff and parents of their safety, the GPD
will have an increased presence at WMS.

Please understand that, since this is a personnel and legal matter, we
have had to keep certain parts of this situation private.  That,
however, has not prevented us from making sure that the GPD and GPS
security teams are paying close attention to the safety of WMS.

To repeat, all are safe and secure at WMS."


Updated: 8:55 p.m., June 17, 2013:

Western Middle School social studies teacher Stacey Goodnow is now out on bond after her arraignment in state Superior Court in Norwalk Monday afternoon following her arrest on a charge she threatened to “shoot up that school,” according to reports.

Defense attorney Mark Sherman said his client is accused of making the threat in a voicemail left for a colleague. According to News12 Connecticut, Goodnow made the threat to a fellow social studies teacher.

Sherman said Goodnow’s bond was reduced from $100,000 to $5,000 and that she was able to post it.

“I am livid, I am ready, dare I say, (to) ‘shoot up that school,’ according to the police report shown on New 12 Connecticut. It was not immediately known what prompted the incident.

During a video of her arraignment, a somewhat disheveled Goodnow with unkempt hair and a stained navy blue sweater top, was told by a state Superior Court judge that “you are not to possess any weapons” and not to have contact with anyone from Western Middle School.

In a prepared statement, Sherman said, “There’s no question that Stacey’s comment was insensitive and inappropriate, however, she did not mean it, she regrets saying it and she is very sorry for the concern and alarm it has caused the Town of Greenwich.”

News12 reported that Goodnow’s threat prompted an increased police presence at the school on Western Junior Highway. Efforts to reach Greenwich Police for comment were unsuccessful Monday evening.

However, a Western Middle School parent reported that the school district did not send out notification of the incident to alert parents.

Updated: 7:02 p.m., June 17, 2013:

The Greenwich Public Schools has released this statement concerning the arrest of Western Middle School social studies teacher Stacey Goodnow.

"Western Middle School teacher Stacey Goodnow is on administrative leave through at least the end of the school year, with pay and without prejudice, pending the outcome of an investigation.

"As this is a personnel matter, the District will not comment on the details of the situation in order to protect the rights of the District and all individuals involved, including Ms. Goodnow’s."

Original story posted at 1:51 p.m., June 17, 2013:

A social studies teacher at Western Middle School faces a disorderly conduct charge stemming from a threat reportedly made to another teacher, according to a published report.

According to The Hour newspaper in Norwalk, Stacey Goodnow was arrested for threatening comments she made to another teacher regarding “actions she may take within the Greenwich School System.”

Norwalk Police told The Hour Goodnow's comments "caused annoyance and alarm at a school in Greenwich." Goodnow reportedly was held on a court-set bond of $100,000 for the disorderly conduct charge. A message seeking comment was left with her attorney, Mark Sherman of Stamford.

A message seeking comment also was left for Greenwich Public Schools spokesman Kim Eves.