Threat closes Riceville school; reopening Friday

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com 

Riceville Community School District students and staff and day care children were kept away from the Riceville school Thursday in response to an apparent threat that was reported by students Wednesday evening.

The school district sent a message to parents and posted a notice on the district website and the district’s Facebook page and Twitter account at about 11 p.m.

“The purpose of this message is to communicate a situation that we were made aware of Wednesday evening 2-21-18,” the message said. “We received information in regards to a potential safety concern that was directed toward the Riceville Community School District.”

The nature of the threat was not included in the message, and school officials and law enforcement officials declined to comment on the type of threat when contacted Thursday. The school reported that the FBI and the U.S. Attorney General’s Office were assisting in an investigation.

“Due to the potential seriousness of this situation school will not be in session on 2-22-18. The Howard County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the situation and we will release more details when they are available,” the Wednesday night message from the school district said.

On Thursday, the school district said one suspect had been identified and it said the person was a former Riceville student.

Howard County Sheriff Mike Miner said Thursday he could not release more information, as the investigation was continuing, but he said charges are pending.

A little before 5 p.m. Thursday, the Riceville School District posted an announcement that classes would resume Friday, but would dismiss after lunchtime.

“The Riceville Community School will be in session on Friday, February 23, 2018, weather permitting,” the announcement said. “Law enforcement will be present on campus all day, with an early dismissal at 12:40 p.m.”

It said the Riceville Community Daycare, which is located at the school, would reopen at 6 a.m. Friday, and all students and parents were asked to enter the high school entry or elementary entrances only.

About half an hour later, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, the school district posted this: “Alumni + current students: weight room + hallways will be closed for activity before / after school tomorrow — thanks for your understanding.”

The Riceville School District had posted another announcement on its website and Facebook page earlier Thursday, repeating some of the information that had been sent out the night before and adding some additional information.

It said the school district was working in collaboration with the Sheriff’s Department “to ensure the safety of all the staff and students.”

“Late on Wednesday evening, February 21, 2018, Riceville School personnel received information about a threat made by people outside of the school. This was reported to the school district by school students,” the Thursday message from the school said.

“The Howard County Sheriff’s Department was contacted and immediately began an investigation. With the information that was shared, school officials decided to cancel school on February 22, 2018.

“We are thankful to the students that reported this to school officials and it is important to discuss with your children and students that it is not appropriate, nor acceptable, to make threats, joke about, or make light of school shootings. We also continue to encourage anyone to report any threats to adults,” the message said.

“The Howard County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating this threat to the Riceville School. The threat involved a former student from Riceville. A suspect has been identified but an investigation is still ongoing at this time.

“The Howard County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Howard County Attorney, US Attorney General, and the FBI,” the school message said.

It concluded by asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Howard County Sheriff’s Department at 563-547-3535 or the Riceville Community School District Administration Office at 641-985-2288.