JCC schools: No credible threat to safety after reports, rumors

Jackson County Central Schools Superintendent Barry Schmidt on Thursday published a statement Thursday to families in the school district regarding its investigation into a reported threat to school safety.

Schmidt said: "Based on this investigation, it appears there have been ongoing verbal altercations between several students over the past two weeks. Unfortunately, these altercations went unreported until yesterday. At that time, unfounded rumors related to those altercations and regarding a potential shooting threat began circulating among some of our students. One or more students who had heard the rumor posted about it on social media, where the rumor then spread. "

Schmidt added that through the district's investigation, it is not believed there is a credible threat to school safety.

"We have not found evidence of a threat being made, and law enforcement has refuted claims regarding the existence of a hit list," he said.

Schmidt thanked the individuals who reported their concerns to the school administration and law enforcement so the district could immediately begin a thorough investigation in conjunction with law enforcement. He also encouraged parents to take the opportunity to talk with their students about school safety concerns. Additionally, people are also asked to avoid posting about concerns online and on social media, as this can perpetuate ongoing hearsay and rumors.