CINCINNATI — There was heightened security Thursday at several Greater Cincinnati schools, with one district canceling classes after a shooting threat was made online.
Mt. Healthy schools canceled all classes Thursday, and we confirmed the following districts increased security:
- Cincinnati Public Schools (various schools)
- Lakota West (at both its main and freshman campuses)
- Northwest Local (all schools in the district)
- Princeton (all schools in the district)
- Sycamore (all schools in the district)
- Winton Woods
In a statement, Mt. Healthy said it was closing on Thursday "out of an abundance of caution and time that we needed to complete an investigation with law enforcement." The district later announced the threat was not found to be credible. Classes will resume as scheduled Friday.
"The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, and we will continue to stay vigilant. Thank you for your understanding and support," Mt. Healthy said in a statement to parents and guardians.
Cincinnati Public Schools released the following statement about the threats that were directed at several of its schools:
"Cincinnati Public Schools is aware of a social media threat made against several area schools. CPS takes all threats seriously, implements immediate security protocols and reports every incident to the Cincinnati Police Department for investigation and continued support. The District is taking extra precautions as the safety of students and staff is of paramount importance. School counselors and social workers will also be available Thursday to provide additional support. Any student found to make threats against a school will be disciplined per the CPS Code of Conduct and may face criminal charges."
Princeton City Schools Superintendent G. Elgin Card wrote in a letter to parents that the district is aware of a social media post suggesting threats of violence against a list of local schools, including Princeton.
Superintendent Card said the threat was not to any specific building and that the district is working with the FBI and local law enforcement to investigate the threat.
A portion of the letter reads, “Out of an abundance of caution, Princeton City Schools will have an increased police presence on our campuses tomorrow, Thursday, September 5, 2024. Each building has been and will be checked again throughout the day for anything suspicious.”
Northwest Local Schools also notified parents that the district was named in a social media post that indicated the possibility of a school shooting.
The letter said that the FBI is involved in the investigation, as well as Colerain Township police.
A portion of the letter from NWLSD reads, “At this time, we plan to have school (Thursday) for all schools as scheduled. Our staff as well as our school resource officers will be vigilant in following our safety protocols to create a safe school environment. There will also be additional security present at some locations.”
Northwest's statement went on to ask everyone not to re-share the social media message, "as it makes it difficult for them to identify the responsible party. Instead, they are asking community members to report the post when you see it."
Lakota West was also mentioned as part of the social media post.
Lauren Boettcher, Spokesperson for the Lakota Local School District tells us, "Lakota West was specifically named in the vague social media threat that authorities are investigating, among several other area schools in other districts. That was the only Lakota school mentioned."
Boettcher's statement went on to say, "We will have increased police presence at both our West freshman and main campuses today. Parents were notified last night, at West as well as Creekside Early Childhood School and Lakota Central since they share a campus with West freshmen."
While Sycamore Community Schools were not specifically mentioned in the threat they did release a letter to the district Thursday morning.
The letter states in part, "We want to make you aware of a social media post circulating around Cincinnati that has caused concern among local school districts. While law enforcement has not deemed the threat credible, and Sycamore Community Schools was NOT one of the schools mentioned in the post, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and peace of mind of our students and staff. As a precaution, we will have an increased police presence throughout the day."
A spokesperson for Winton Woods City Schools said Forest Park and Greenhills police officers will be on campus Thursday following the social media post. The district's statement said the school opened smoothly in the morning.
"We are a district that values the idea that if you see something that could possibly be a safety concern, our Warriors will say something," reads a statement from the district. "This definitely held true in this situation and we appreciate all the messages of concern. School opened smoothly this morning and we are off to a great start for another day of learning. Thank you all for choosing Winton Woods City Schools."
This all comes one day after multiple people were shot and killed at a school in Georgia.
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