Franklin Elementary School in Wausau Deals With Threats in Recent Weeks

Thursday, October 16th, 2025 -- 10:00 AM

(Shereen Siewert, Wisconsin Public Radio) When three separate threats of violence disrupted Franklin Elementary School in recent weeks, Wausau school officials faced the challenge of acting fast without spreading fear, a balance that’s hard to strike in any district.

According to Shereen Siewert with the Wisconsin Public Radio, the first of the school threats came in the opening weeks of the school year, followed by two more in quick succession. Each prompted immediate coordination with law enforcement and internal safety teams.

In a conversation on WPR’s “Morning Edition,” Superintendent Cale Bushman said such situations are among the most challenging a school system can face because administrators must balance transparency with accuracy and sensitivity. When threats do emerge, district officials work with police to evaluate each case based on age, intent and context to determine next steps.

“A comment made by a kindergarten student is different from a comment made by a high school student,” Bushman said. “But typically, when a threat comes to us, we involve our police department as soon as we can based on the level of the threat, and we wait for their decision as to whether or not it’s credible.”

Bushman said the district’s approach to threats falls into three broad categories: prevention, rissportesponse and reaction. Prevention involves building strong relationships with students and families, encouraging them to report concerns through programs such as Speak Up Speak Out, a statewide anonymous reporting system.

Once a potential threat surfaces, the response phase begins. Administrators assess the nature of the report and bring in the Wausau Police Department when appropriate. When threats escalate to the reactionary stage, the district follows a standardized “threat assessment” process to determine risk levels and next steps.

That assessment can lead to consequences ranging from education to expulsion, along with interventions such as counseling or safety plans. Bushman noted that even noncredible threats carry emotional consequences for students, staff and parents.

The district’s pupil services team, including counselors and psychologists, is made available to help students process fear and anxiety. He emphasized that the district’s broader goal is prevention through connection, ensuring every child has at least one trusted adult within the school system.

“The relationship component to this is really important for us,” Bushman said. “If we have students who are having difficulties or challenges, getting in to meet with them and having them talk with us can resolve a lot of things in a proactive fashion.”

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.