DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – Police in Dickinson say a juvenile has been arrested in connection with the Trinity High School fire, which authorities allege was started by the school’s principal.
 
     The juvenile from Dickinson was arrested on a hindering law enforcement charge around 3 a.m. Wednesday.
 
     Authorities would not disclose the juvenile’s identity or other information regarding the arrest. Juvenile records are not public.
 
     The charge against the juvenile is a Class C felony.
 
     Thirty-year-old Thomas Sander is accused of setting a fire that heavily damaged the school on Monday. He has been charged with arson and endangerment by fire.
 
     Sander moved to Dickinson last summer. The board chairman for Dickinson Catholic Schools says the Dickinson job was Sander’s first full-time principal position.

 

Previously…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The board chairman for Dickinson Catholic Schools says a principal accused of setting fire to Trinity High School passed background checks and came recommended by clergy and mentors in other states.
 
     Monsignor Patrick Schumacher says the Dickinson job was Thomas Sander’s first full-time principal position. He says Sander had a good work ethic but did make some mistakes. Schumacher declined to give details but said they were issues that any first-year principal might deal with. He declined to say if Sander was sanctioned for any reason.
 
     Sander is accused of setting a fire that heavily damaged the school Monday. Court documents don’t list an attorney for him.
 
     Sander came to Dickinson last summer. He previously worked at Catholic schools in Omaha, Neb., and Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Earlier…

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – A judge has set a $500,000 bond for the principal of Trinity High School in Dickinson who has been charged with setting fire to the school.
 
     Thirty-year-old Thomas Sander appeared in court Wednesday. He has been charged with arson and endangerment by fire or explosion, both felonies that carry a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison. Court documents don’t list an attorney for him and a home telephone listing for him couldn’t be found. 
 
     Police and fire officials are still investigating. The Bishop of Bismarck and school board officials plan to meet Friday to discuss a full assessment of the property.
 
     The fire early Monday heavily damaged the school. Students have been given the week off while officials decide how to proceed for the rest of the school year.

 

Earlier…

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – The principal of Trinity High School in Dickinson is accused of setting fire to the school.
 
     Police say 30-year-old Thomas Sander is in custody on charges of arson and endangerment by fire, both felonies that carry a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney, and a home telephone listing for him could not be found. He has been principal for less than a year.
 
     Police and fire officials are still investigating. Dickinson Catholic Schools President Steve Glasser says school officials plan to release a statement Wednesday.
 
     The fire early Monday heavily damaged the school. Students have been given the week off while school officials decide how to proceed for the rest of the school year.