WEST MICHIGAN – Alleged threats have caused five local school districts to shut down until after the holidays.
Superintendents from Harper Creek, Lakeview, Battle Creek and Pennfield, along with local law enforcement, have closed their schools and all activities for Thursday, Dec. 20 and Friday, Dec. 21.
Officials are investigating multiple threats that have been allegedly circulating through social media.
Emmett Township Department of Public Safety released the following statement:
“It is clear that last Friday changed all of us. As educators, we acknowledge, and we believe our communities would agree, that schools are at the center of concern right now. As school district Superintendents we have been in constant communication with one another and there are too many unique factors that have influenced our unanimous decision to cancel school and all school activities for Thursday, Dec. 20 and Friday, Dec. 21.”
They continued to mention how anxious the community was and that parent’s remain concerned over the safety of their children.
“There are threats within local districts that bring pause as to whether conducting classes would be appropriate.”
Harper Creek Community Schools also released a statement:
“Safety for our students and staff is our priority, and with an impending snowstorm, and social media spreading rumors, it was determined that it would be best to close school and cancel all evening activities for Thursday and Friday.
Fennville High School also investigated a threat on Thursday.
Also late Thursday, Kalamazoo Public Schools announced it was closing Friday because of concerns. A released statement is below:
“Given heightened concerns in communities across the state and in Kalamazoo we understand that some of our students and families are uneasy. We feel that closing the district for one additional day in the holiday break would calm a lot of the anxiety in our community, and that it’s the right thing to do.”
