The modified lockdown in place Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Butler Senior High School and Butler Intermediate High School due to a vague threat on social media likely will not be in effect Thursday, according to superintendent Brian White.

White said Wednesday afternoon that he doesn’t believe the threat was legitimate. He said he learned during the course of the day that social media post originated outside of the district and was copied on to students’ social media feeds.

Similar posts have impacted schools throughout Western Pennsylvania over the last several days, White said.

The FBI office in Pittsburgh is working with other law enforcement agencies to address the recent threats that have reached multiple school districts in the region.

“The FBI is aware of recent threats directed toward multiple school districts across Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia,” Bradford Arick, a spokesman for the FBI’s Pittsburgh office said. “We remain in close coordination with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance where appropriate.

“That includes gathering intelligence, sharing information, tracking down leads, and working with partners to identify and mitigate threats quickly and effectively.”

White alerted Butler Area School District parents of a vague threat posted on a social media site around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday.

“We have been made aware of a vague threat to secondary schools circulating in the region. We are not aware of any threats at the elementary level at this time,” White said in the email. “Although we do not have an indication there has been a specific threat to the Intermediate High School or Senior High School, we have taken precautions to ensure the safety of our students.

“Both the IHS and SHS are now operating in a perimeter lock down. In addition, local police have been notified and will have more of a presence on our school campuses.”

He continued to say that the district takes all threats seriously and asked if anyone sees or hears “any disturbing statements involving our schools or students” to immediately report it to the school district and local law enforcement.

During the modified lockdown, gym classes were not held outside and students were not allowed outside between classes, White said.

Issuing a threat of any kind promoting violence can be a violation of state and/or federal law.

“These threats disrupt school, waste resources, and put first responders and innocent people in unnecessary danger,” the statement from the FBI Pittsburgh office read.

The FBI said students, teachers, administrators and parents should promptly report suspicious activities that could represent a threat to 911, the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at tips.fbi.gov.