Butler County schools reopen Friday
Butler Area and Slippery Rock Area school districts resumed classes Friday, Sept. 13 following a one-day closure due to a series of vague threats on social media.
Butler Area School District closed Thursday “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the district’s Facebook page. When none of the threats was found to be credible, students were permitted to return Friday.
Superintendent Brian White said he visited several buildings to welcome the students back.
“The students seemed to be in good spirits,” he said. “It felt like a normal Friday.”
The district has counselors on hand to meet with students.
“It’s natural for students to have heightened feelings in a situation like this,” he said. “Sometimes they need to talk it out.”
White said parents have expressed appreciation to the district for its actions.
“Our job is to make sure students are safe,” he said. White commended the collaboration of law enforcement, school police and families in a “true community effort.”
Schools across Western Pennsylvania have been affected by threats this week. The threats prompted lockdowns, modified lockdowns, early dismissals, transitions to virtual classes and outright cancellations across the region.
In one Pittsburgh public school building Thursday, students were evacuated as police were called to respond to the sighting of an unknown man inside the school. A full lockdown was put in place before police asked to have the building evacuated.
White said while this was occurring, a Shaler Area School District student posted additional threats, specifically targeting Butler. Shaler Area superintendent Bryan O’Black issued a statement Wednesday noting police identified a district student was involved.
On Thursday, White said he requested a meeting with the Butler County district attorney’s office, assistance from the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office and support from the state Department of Education to investigate the threats.
“Please know that I am committed to pursuing all available legal avenues to hold those responsible accountable,” he said in a post to the district’s website.
Slippery Rock superintendent Alfonso Angelucci also acknowledged the collaboration of school staff, families and the community in handling the closure.
“I’m proud of our staff and students,” he said. “The students were happy coming off the buses this morning.”
Angelucci greeted students as they arrived and ate lunch with students at the middle school, he said.
“Any time you have to close for a situation like this, it is uncomfortable for the school community,” he said.
The district’s six counselors were available to meet with students, he said.
Moving forward, Angelucci said he and his administrative team will be taking steps to ensure the district continues to be prepared for future emergencies.
“We will have discussions with the school board to enhance safety and security,” he said. “We will accept and have accepted input from parents and the community. We want to be proactive.”
Bulter Area secondary schools on modified lockdown — Butler Eagle
