Threatening Letter Sent to Elementary Principal

VAN NUYS — Police are investigating a threatening letter sent to an elementary school principal that referred to the beating of a school principal in Panorama City, authorities said Monday.

A secretary at Kester Avenue Elementary received the letter Friday addressed to Principal Petronella Montante, and immediately called Montante, who was not at school that day, said Shel Erlich, spokesman for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Montante told the secretary to call the police, he said.

Erlich said the letter suggested that an attack similar to last month’s beating of Norman Bernstein could occur against Montante.

Bernstein, principal of the predominantly Latino Burton Street Elementary School, told police that before beating him unconscious, two men told him they did not want him on campus because he was white.

LAPD detectives refused to discuss the contents of the letter.

“There’s nothing to indicate that it’s motivated by hatred or prejudice,” said Van Nuys Division Det. David Escoto. “There’s nothing to indicate a motivation or that any particular students or parents are involved.”

He said that Montante is white.

Both the Los Angeles Police Department and school district police are investigating the incident.

“Appropriate steps are being taken to make sure that the school, staff and principal are safe,” Erlich said.

Montante did not return phone calls Monday.