No Threat To Hillsboro High School, Administrators Say

HILLSBORO, OR — While schools and universities across the nation are experiencing an unfortunate uptick in threats of violence by students and outsiders, some real and some for the creation of needless worry, at least one ongoing situation in Hillsboro appears to have been fabricated.

Hillsboro School District officials on Feb. 28 released a statement acknowledging their awareness of threatening comments supposedly made by a student at Hillsboro High School. At least one student left campus early out of growing concern Wednesday, while other students shared frenzied chatter on social media about who said what.

On Friday, Hilhi administrators Principal Lou Bailey, Assistant Principals Courtney Leonard and John Matsuo, and Dean of Students Janette Johns, released a follow-up statement to Hilhi families:

Your fears and concerns are understood, and each and every reported concern is taken seriously; however, please know that there are many rumors and falsehoods being perpetuated on social media. Taking this discussion off of social media and focusing on the actual situation at our school will be extremely helpful in restoring a productive learning and working environment for our students and staff…
There are extenuating circumstances with this situation that led the threat assessment team to determine that there had not actually been a threat. So, while measures have been put in place and the situation is continually being monitored, reassessed, and modified as necessary, none of that is information we are at liberty to share.

Patch was made aware of a small number of students targeting one person specifically as "the next school shooter" through Facebook and Snapchat posts.

Following a Patch inquiry, school district spokeswoman Beth Graser told Patch there was no imminent threat to student safety and that district officials had been aware of the situation for an unspecified amount of time.

The Friday statement from Hilhi administrators provided more of an explanation:

The trigger for our communication (Feb. 28) was due to social media chatter and tips to news media — at that point, we needed to address the situation and explain what we could to quell the rumor mill…
Please know that we do not put the rights of individual students above the safety of all students, staff, and our school. If we believed a student posed a true threat, we would not keep that student in school or hold school.

At this time, it appears Hilhi families can rest easier knowing the administration and school district is working to ensure student, staff, and faculty safety.

To provide additional education for students and families, HSD Superintendent Mike Scott is reportedly planning to release a safety video in conjunction with the district's launch of the Keeping Students Safe in School webpage.

The new district website "will contain a lot of important information about the systems, structures, and people we have in place in our District and schools to ensure safety," the Hilhi administrative statement said. "We will also provide some guidance around the possibility of student walkouts in the coming weeks and how we will approach the issue with students, staff, and parents."

Patch has reached out to the Hillsboro School District and will update this post with any additional information if it responds.

See the full statement from Hillsboro High School below:

See Also:

School Shooting Threats On Twitter Lead To Arrest In Oregon

• Christopher Strahan reportedly threatened a mass shooting on Twitter Feb. 27. He was convicted one year ago for doing the exact same thing.

Should Threatening A School Be A Felony? Oregon Senator Says Yes

• Sen. Tim Knopp introduced to a public safety bill an amendment that would make threats of violence against a school a felony crime.

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