Ringgold School District closes for second day due to threats
At least one juvenile has been questioned in connection to threats that again closed Ringgold School District schools Monday.
The district closed Friday because of threats received by the state’s Safe2Say Something program. The district posted on its website that administrators and police were alerted to the additional threats over the weekend.
“Providing a safe and secure learning environment is the top priority of the Ringgold School District, and we take these incidents very seriously,” the district stated.
The district said that Monday will be a flexible instruction day. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website, schools are able to develop a flexible instructional day program so they can meet their 180-day requirement when circumstances result in school closing.
Carroll Township police, along with officers in Monongahela and Donora, investigated six Ringgold Middle School students Friday, but no immediate arrests were made.
Carroll police Chief Paul Brand said there were “several” reports through the Safe2Say Something program over the weekend, but that there is no indication they are connected to the group of students interviewed Friday.
“One juvenile has been questioned,” Brand said of the more recent threats.
For the threats that closed school Friday, Brand said juvenile charges likely will be filed, though not necessarily against all six students.
While the earlier threats provided names for police to investigate, Brand said the weekend threats were vague in nature.
“One had some information that could be investigated further,” Brand said.
Brand also offered a warning to people who may use the Safe2Say Something system to provide false or misleading information.
“That Safe2Say program has been put in to enhance safety, but it’s not to be used to call in false information,” Brand said. “Anyone who would use it for false reports would be charged for it.”
Carroll police continue to investigate the threats, along with Ringgold administration and police.
“As our investigation continues, we will determine any ongoing credibility of threats and follow the recommendations of the Ringgold School Police and local municipal agencies, in accordance with Ringgold School District policy,” the district stated on its website.