Okotoks junior high school closed due to threat, date for reopening unknown

UPDATE: Okotoks school to reopen Friday after being shut down by threats

The Foothills School Division (FSD) says it’s “too early to say” when students will be allowed back to an Okotoks junior high school closed after a threat was made.

In a news conference, Okotoks RCMP said they were contacted by the school division on Wednesday regarding a threat made against École Okotoks Junior High School.

“A student reported to the principal that they had overheard a conversation between other students in which a threat was made,” Cpl. Curtis Peter said.

RCMP said a decision was made to cancel classes on Thursday out of “an abundance of caution.”

“We take any threat to the safety of a school or students seriously. This one was considered to be viable enough, that we felt … the school should be closed.”

The school contacted students and parents about the closure via email and automated phone messages.

Parent Luke Thompson is amazed the incident happened in small-town Alberta.

“I’ve got to say, it’s freaking me out a little bit. So I’m curious to see what the details are of the threat, but it doesn’t change how you feel right now. My heart is pounding.”

Krista Burton is left wondering what protocols are in place for such a situation.

“You wonder if the schools are going through precautionary measures to make sure kids are safe. And I’m not sure what that entails, but you would hope that they would have something in place and it sounds like they have,” the mother said. “At least we were all aware and there was a lot of police presence here…it was good to see.”

On Thursday, FSD Supt. John Bailey said it’s unknown when students will be able to return to class.

“I can’t tell you exactly when the school will reopen, but we will make that decision cooperatively with RCMP.”

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Bailey said parents will continue to receive updates through the school’s automated phone system.

Peter said the reopening of the school will be something that is “discussed between the school administration and the RCMP.”

RCMP used a member of the K9 unit to search the school on Thursday to check for potential threats.

To protect the integrity of the investigation, RCMP refused to comment on the specific nature of the threat, but did specify it wasn’t a bomb threat.

“I can tell you at no time were there any students, or members of the public, or staff at the school at risk.”

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Peter added that while Okotoks residents may notice an increased police presence around town while the investigation takes place, RCMP have no reason to believe the threat extends to other schools.

“The nature of the threat was specific to this particular school,” he added.

Anyone with information is asked to call Okotoks RCMP at 403-938-4202 or contact Crime Stoppers.

With files from Global’s Kris Laudien