UPDATE: Superintendent explains why Blackfoot schools are cancelled Thursday
Published at | Updated at
UPDATE 6:00 a.m.
The following is an update from Blackfoot School District 55 Superintendent Brian Kress:
Late (Wednesday) night, the BHS administration and our local law enforcement received information that indicated a threat on BHS might be ongoing. The information came to our attention through social media. The school administration and local law enforcement immediately began an investigation into this new information.
Unfortunately, we were unable to quickly validate or dismiss this new information. Therefore, the decision was made to err on the side of caution and cancel school for Thursday, March 1st.
Early this morning, local law enforcement informed the district administration that the additional threat was not viable. The new information arose from a misunderstanding regarding the initial incident.
We apologize for the alarm and disruption this incident has caused. We plan to meet with our administrative team later today to debrief and learn from this experience. The safety and well being of our students and staff is a constant concern and of paramount importance to all of us. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this incident.
ORIGINAL STORY
BLACKFOOT — Blackfoot School District 55 has cancelled classes Thursday, March 1 after receiving a possible threat.
The cancellation comes following the arrest of a 14-year-old boy who authorities said made shooting threats at Blackfoot High School.
Superintendent Brian Kress issued the following statement late Wednesday evening:
“Blackfoot High School administration and the school resource officer were alerted to a possible threat at the school. The staff addressed the concern immediately and appropriately. At no time were weapons or ammunition found at the school. The incident was investigated by the administration and local law enforcement. It was determined that no further threat existed at that time. Unfortunately, the school administration and local law enforcement have received new information that warrants further investigation. Therefore, in the best interest of the safety of our students and staff, the Blackfoot School District will not hold any classes March 1, 2018. As more information is gathered we will inform the public regarding class on Friday.”
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