Assumption High School principal made bomb threat to textbook publisher, police say

WISCONSIN RAPIDS - A central Wisconsin principal is on administrative leave after police say he called in a bomb threat to a textbook publisher.

According to a news release issued by the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, a representative of Pearson Educational Co. in Arizona reported receiving a bomb threat to their software company. The company reported the threat Wednesday morning.

According to the release, Paul Klinkhammer, 67, allegedly became frustrated with the customer support phone system and the assistance of the software company's staff and made a statement about bombing that company.

Klinkhammer has been the principal of Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids since 2013.

The WRPD has submitted a request to the Wood County District Attorney's Office to charge Klinkhammer with making a bomb scare, according to the release. Klinkhammer did not make any threats against the school.

District Attorney Craig Lambert declined to comment on the case.

President of Assumption Catholic Schools Joan Bond said Klinkhammer is on administrative leave pending the results of an investigation.

“No harm was done to students, faculty or staff,” Bond said. “We are working with the police department as we have done in the past and will continue to do to find resolutions.”

Thomas Reichenbacher, superintendent for Catholic Schools’ Diocese of La Crosse, issued a statement Thursday acknowledging the Aug. 30 incident.

“We have and will continue to cooperate with local law enforcement and the Diocese of La Crosse in resolving this situation,” Reichenbacher wrote. “We ask everyone to pray for Mr. Klinkhammer, as well as the students, staff and the community of Assumption Catholic Schools that truth might be sought and justice carried out.”

Klinkhammer did not immediately respond to a voicemail message left by a USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter Thursday.