School closed throughout Flathead County

Schools throughout Flathead County, including Whitefish and most of the large districts, are closed Thursday due to threats received via text message. Flathead Valley Community College also announced a closure.

The story unrolled late Wednesday night when Columbia Falls School District canceled today’s classes due to apparent threats made toward the district. In a Facebook post at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, the district stated that “due to several threats and the safety of our students and staff there will be no school tomorrow for Columbia Falls School District.”

The nature of the threats wasn’t specified; however, as the night passed on, other school districts became aware of the larger nature of the threat and also closed today.

Whitefish Superintendent Heather Davis Schmidt in a message to parents said Whitefish, along with Columbia Falls and Kalispell, received anonymous threats via text message and email.

“Many threats directed at schools are made with the intent of disrupting education,” she said in the message. “Threats like these breed fear, anxiety, and frustration for us all. While the vast majority of these threats turn out to be hoaxes, they have to be investigated and taken seriously. The safety and welfare of our students and staff is our highest priority.”

All school activities and athletics are also canceled.

As of 8:30 a.m., according to the Flathead County superintendent of schools’ website, only Pleasant Valley remained open. All private schools in the county were also closed.

Mark Flatau, superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools, sent parents a message explaining the decision to close school in Kalispell:

“Wednesday evening, Columbia Falls School District received threats via text messages that specifically targeted schools in their district. As the evening progressed, other districts in our area were included in or received additional threats which included Kalispell Public Schools.

“For the safety and best interest of our students and staff, the KPS will be closed on Thursday, September 14, 2017. Area law enforcement agencies are working diligently to solve this matter.”

The threats occurred on the same day as a shooter opened fire at a high school in Rockford, Washington. One student was killed and three were injured in the incident.