Parkland School District hosting virtual learning day Friday as investigation into threat continues
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Schools in the Parkland School District in Allentown will partake in virtual learning Friday amid an investigation into a threat against Orefield Middle School. A spokesperson for the school district released a statement regarding the closure Thursday evening, adding that no transportation will operate for non-public schools.
This is a frustrating time for everyone. We will continue to work with law enforcement to make the best decision for the safety of our school community. We are extremely grateful for the efforts and time provided by the FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police,South Whitehall Township Police and Upper Macungie Township Police Department. All personnel are working hard to resolve this situation so that we can resume normal operations.
Parkland School District made the decision to close all schools Thursday as an investigation began into a threat that was made against Orefield Middle School Wednesday night.
The message threatened the health, safety and welfare of students at Orefield Middle School, according to a release.
Dr. Mark Madson, the superintendent of Parkland Schools, made the decision to cancel class for all schools in the district because they won't be able to provide transportation on Thursday. The district's school bus garage is on the same campus as Orefield Middle School, he said in a release.
"I want to be clear that the person responsible for this threat will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Threatening the safety of students and staff, even as a prank, is a federal crime. This situation creates tremendous undue stress for families, students, and staff, and we share your feelings of anger and sadness today. I can assure you that I remain in constant communication with the legal authorities who have been working all night long to resolve this event. Our sole purpose is focused on maintaining a safe and secure environment at school. Please understand that our communication with staff, parents and the media may be limited while police are leading an investigation. However, we will continue to communicate any updates that we can as the police work around the clock to ensure that we can safely reopen our schools."
Across from Orefield Middle is Ross Plants and Flowers, which is owned by Monica Yurconic-Groff.
"It's a happy place. So to know that that's happening across the street, and many of our customers are families that attend this school district, it's just disturbing," Yurconic-Groff said. "It's upsetting that this is the world that we live in; that we can't have faith and trust that our kids are going to be safe when they enter the school doors."
Yurconic-Groff felt Parkland Schools made the correct decision to close schools for the day.
An individual found to have made "terroristic threats" against a school, which affects its operations, could face up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
It's unclear who made the threat at this time.
