Classes continue at Paul Kane High School despite threat

EDMONTON – Students and staff at Paul Kane High School faced no safety issues Monday, as RCMP continued to investigate a threat made to a staff member.

The threat was written in graffiti at the St. Albert school last week. The graffiti appeared threatening toward a school staff member and referenced Monday, Feb. 22, St. Albert RCMP said.

“Reasonable and collaborative precautions are being taken according to established protocols by the RCMP, the school, and the St. Albert Public School District to ensure the safety of all who attend or work at the school,” Insp. Ken Foster with the St. Albert RCMP said.

“Until proven otherwise, it is in the interest in public safety to take all such potential threats as a serious matter.”

READ MORE: Threat at Paul Kane High School was written in graffiti

Police haven’t been able to substantiate the threat, which has made it difficult to find the right balance on how to handle the situation, officers said.

“It’s important to note that any threats have to be taken seriously whether they’re believed to be a hoax or not until we can determine otherwise,” Foster said.

“I’m not going to go into exact resources, but we have sufficient resources there to manage the threat or any potential threat.”

The RCMP hasn’t provided a lot of details about their investigation into who made the threat except that “it’s being pursued aggressively.”

Students were told to use only the front doors of the school to enter and exit the building. Classes progressed as usual Monday morning.

Police remind parents to explain to their kids the seriousness of making a threat like this one.

“What may be a joke or a hoax or if you’re angry at a teacher, that putting words or saying things or doing things, certain actions have serious ramifications,” Foster said.