Increased security in several school districts after social media threat

CINCINNATI — Several schools in the Greater Cincinnati area implemented heightened security measures Thursday, with one school district canceling classes after threats of a shooting were posted online.

Mt. Healthy schools cancelled all classes on Thursday and we confirmed that the following districts have increased safety measures:

• Cincinnati Public Schools (various schools)
• Lakota West (both main campus and freshman campus)
• 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 the school would close Thursday “out of an abundance of caution and because we needed time to complete the investigation with law enforcement.” The district later announced that the threat was not credible. Classes will resume as scheduled on Friday.
“The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority and we will continue to remain 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 regarding the threats made against several of their schools:

“Cincinnati Public Schools is aware of a social media threat against several area schools. CPS takes all threats seriously, implements immediate safety protocols, and reports each incident to the Cincinnati Police Department for investigation and further assistance. The district is taking extra precautions as student and staff safety is of paramount importance. School counselors and social workers will also be available Thursday to provide additional support. Any student who threatens a school will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with 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 school district was aware of a social media post that implied threats of violence against a number of local schools, including Princeton.

Superintendent Card said the threat was not directed at a specific building and that the district is working with the FBI and local law enforcement to investigate the threat.

The letter states, in part: “Out of an abundance of caution, police presence will be increased on Princeton City Schools campuses tomorrow, Thursday, September 5, 2024. Each building has been and will be re-inspected for anything suspicious throughout the day.”

Northwest Local Schools also informed parents that the district was mentioned in a social media post raising the possibility of a school shooting.

The letter said that both the FBI and Colerain Township police were involved in the investigation.

Part of the NWLSD letter states: “At this time, we plan to continue classes (on Thursday) as scheduled at all schools. Our staff and school resource officers will closely follow our safety protocols to create a safe school environment. There will also be additional security at some locations.”

Northwest's statement asked everyone not to share the social media message “as it is difficult for them to identify the person responsible. Instead, they ask community members to report the post if they see it.”

Lakota West was also mentioned in the social media post.

Lauren Boettcher, spokeswoman for the local Lakota School District, told us, “In the vague social media threat that authorities are investigating, Lakota West was specifically mentioned, along with several other schools in other districts. That was the only Lakota school mentioned.”

Boettcher's statement continued, “We will have an increased police presence today on both our West freshman campus and our main campus. Parents were notified last night, both on the West campus and at Creekside Early Childhood School and Lakota Central, as they share campus with West freshmen.”

Although Sycamore Community Schools was not specifically mentioned in the threat, they sent a letter to the district Thursday morning.

The letter states, in part, “We want to make you aware of a social media post that is making the rounds in Cincinnati and has caused concern among local school districts. While police do not believe the threat to be credible and Sycamore Community Schools was NOT one of the schools mentioned in the post, we are taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and peace of mind of our students and staff. As a precautionary measure, we will have an increased police presence throughout the day.”

A spokesperson for Winton Woods City Schools said police officers from Forest Park and Greenhills will be on campus Thursday following the social media post. The district's statement said the school opened without any problems in the morning.

“We are a district that values ​​the idea of ​​our warriors speaking up when they see something that could potentially pose a safety risk,” the district said in a statement. “That was definitely true in this situation and we appreciate any messages of concern. School started smoothly this morning and we are off to a great start to another school day. Thank you for choosing Winton Woods City Schools.”

This all happened one day after several people were shot at a school in Georgia.