Man Threatens Northeast Iowa School Administrator Over Enrollment Dispute

A northeast Iowa man who made threats against a school administrator was allegedly upset because the school district would not enroll his son.

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office says 28-year-old James Toms of Independence called the East Buchanan School District in Winthrop and made threatening comments to Superintendent Daniel Fox shortly before 10 am Thursday (04.11) morning.  According to criminal complaints, Toms was irate and upset that the School had not accepted his four-year-old son as a student. Toms also wanted his diploma from when he himself was a student at the school.

Investigators also noted that Toms has a history with Fox; threatening him multiple times to hurt him. Thursday, Toms allegedly told Fox he was “coming to get him” and, while the threats were not directed at any other staff or students, the building was placed on lockdown for everyone’s safety. 

Toms did not go to the school and was later located at his home in Independence and the lockdown was lifted at about 10:30 am Thursday.

Toms has been charged with third-degree harassment. 

Court records show that Toms was convicted of going armed with intent in 2014, plus assault in 2017 and 2018.