There are concerns about a possible threat at Center Hill Middle School in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Several teachers told Local Memphis they won’t be going to school Friday, and parents may keep their kids home.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department determined the rumored threats were not credible and the school should continue with normal activities.
However, multiple teachers and staff members contacted Local Memphis concerned.
According to them, the threats began last Friday when a student, who was suspended for fighting, went on Snapchat and threatened to shoot up the school.
The recent school shooting in Florida has faculty and parents still concerned.
Every Center Hill Middle School parent we talked with on and off camera had great things to say about the school; which is why they were alarmed to get an email Wednesday about alleged threats directed at the school, supposedly days after they were made.
“I’m really hoping that it’s a hoax. I’m really hoping nothing is going to come out of it because you don’t have those type of things here at Center Hill,” said parent Mary Bougard.
“It’s pretty scary,” said father Michael Morales.
“I wish they would’ve been a little more proactive and telling us, but I also understand that from law-enforcement standpoint and education stand point, but they have to investigate,” said mother Shelly Connell.
For days, talk has grown among students, staff and parents.
In response to the growing questions about what’s going on at Center Hill Middle and the heightened alert surrounding safety, DeSoto County School officials sent an update Thursday night saying:
Center Hill Middle School officials and DeSoto County Schools officials have been in communication with the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department today and this evening regarding alleged threats made against the school. We understand that school safety concerns around our nation have everyone at a higher state of alert, and we also want to make sure that our parents stay informed. Here are some updates:
-There have been many questions about guns being found on the Center Hill Middle School campus and/or buses. These rumors are not true. There have been no guns found.
-There have been no substantiated threats actually made against the school. However, there have been emails and phone calls about incidents that are rumored to take place at the school. All of those allegations have been taken seriously. The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department is looking into all information that they receive and anything that is reported to the school or the school district. The Sheriff’s Department has not found any of the rumored threats to have any credibility.
– In order to ease parents’ concerns, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department had an increased presence on campus today, and they will have an increased presence on campus tomorrow. Parents and students will definitely notice this increased presence on campus Friday morning.
School officials and district officials understand the concern of parents, and they will be working with law enforcement officials to ensure the safety of our students and staff on a continued basis. We are all appreciative of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department for their continued support of Center Hill Middle School and DeSoto County Schools.
On Thursday, parents were mixed on whether they would let their kids go to school Friday.
Separate from what is going on at Center Hill Middle School, the sheriff’s department said they are upping patrols at all schools in light of the school shooting in Florida.
