Investigation started late-Sunday evening
Robbinsville – It is becoming a disturbing trend across the country: threats made either by phone or online that endanger local school systems.
Sadly, the Graham County School district has recently found susceptible to the issue – twice, in a 7-week span.
A late-night release Sunday on the district’s Facebook page announced that the Monday school day would be delayed to a 10 a.m. start, a time usually reserved for safety precautions when road conditions have been affected by weather. The brief post used the phrasing “due to unforeseen circumstances,” which understandably raised concerns.
Shortly after schools district-wide commenced Monday, superintendent Angie Knight released a more-detailed explanation of the delay, confirming that students had engaged in “online activity” that officials felt posed a threat on the system itself.
Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit gave the all-clear to the district around 7 a.m. Monday, according to the release. Hoxit told The Graham Star that his office had received information about the potential of a fight breaking out between middle- and high-school students, which escalated from threats of knives being brought on-campus to the possibility of guns being used.
Hoxit said he asked that some of the students involved not to report to the campus off Sweetwater Road on Monday, but to remain home with parents or guardians. The number of students involved were not released to the public, but Knight’s statement indicated that both on- and off-campus discipline could take place.
“Sheriff Hoxit requested additional time to have the opportunity to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that the school campus could be deemed safe for all to attend,” a portion of Knight’s statement said. “We appreciate the seriousness and thoroughness that was afforded on behalf of the students and staff.
“We fully realize that delaying school for two hours, without a transparent explanation, is frustrating, and is significantly inconvenient for families, students and staff. However, due to the safety sensitive nature of the investigation, we could not offer more information at the time. The general safety of our students, staff and our entire school community is our utmost priority and we truly appreciate your understanding of the process.”
The online threats came just seven weeks removed from a Dec. 7 bomb threat that was phoned into the school’s anonymous tip line, which did not specify which facility was the target. In response, school officials rightly canceled classes district-wide, as multiple agencies – including the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation – responded to Graham County to assist with the threat.
Ultimately, a Robbinsville High School student confessed to phoning in the bomb threat.