Former superintendent charged in threats case

Michael T. Mitchell Jr., 48, of Bern Township was charged Friday with making terroristic threats and harassment.

The Schuylkill Valley School District’s former superintendent, who left the district in a cloud of controversy in June, has been charged with threatening the school board vice president.

Michael T. Mitchell Jr., 48, of Bern Township was charged Friday with making terroristic threats and harassment.

According to court documents:

George H. Mertz III, a member of the Schuylkill Valley School Board, contacted police Wednesday, saying he was being threatened over the phone. Police called to investigate, and Mertz reported that Mitchell had threatened his life.

Mertz told police that Mitchell said, “I’m coming in on Monday and I’m gonna kill you.”

Mertz told police that the school board had a meeting scheduled for Monday evening and he was worried Mitchell would act on his threat.

Police contacted Mitchell who admitted calling Mertz but he said he didn’t threaten to kill him.

Instead, Mitchell told police that he told Mertz, “I’m gonna bury you.” He said his wording was not intended to be threatening.

Mitchell told police that “it’s gonna be one person’s word against another.”

Police also viewed screenshots of text messages Mitchell sent to Wertz. They included statements such as “You’re done,” “I always win,” “I know where all the bodies are buried” and “You messed with the wrong guy, George.”

Neither Mitchell nor Mertz could immediately be reached for comment.

Mitchell is scheduled to have a preliminary arraignment in August before District Judge Brian K. Strand.

Resignation

Mitchell resigned as Schuylkill Valley’s superintendent effective June 30.

He had been put on paid administrative leave on May 12. Board officials did not provide information on the reason for the leave.

But a release and settlement agreement between Mitchell and the district provided a bit of insight into the situation.