Better safe than sorry? Unfortunately, that’s probably best. Students at Westminster High School were sent home on Wednesday because of an “anonymous online threat targeting the school,” according to an Adams County School District 50 news release.
We acknowledge school officials have a difficult decision to make when it comes to matters like these. What’s the best way to weigh an anonymous posting somewhere out on the Internet, versus disrupting an entire day of classes?
Given the fact that Wednesday was the day after the anniversary of the Columbine shooting, district officials probably gave the threat more credence than they might have on almost any other day of the year.
The hope is that the posting was made by some misguided youth who wanted an extra day off, wanted to avoid taking a dreaded test, or just plain thought it would be funny to cause chaos. While misguided, such motivations are hardly new among students when the green comes into the grass.
But, of course, with the horrible incident at Columbine 11 years ago, schools must take threats more seriously. They don’t know that some psychopath isn’t out there again.
We hate the fact that one of the old Westminster High School’s last days in existence had to be marred by this incident. Especially for those graduating seniors, these days rushing toward the end of their high school careers should be remembered with fond thoughts, not of arriving at school to see a cadre of police cars and closed doors.
But more importantly, as guardians of their safety, school officials are required to make the call in order to protect their safety.
As details of the threat emerge, we’re sure we’ll get more information on the viability of the threat. But for now, we are inclined to agree with District 50’s decision, and are sorry it was one that had to be made.