SHAMOKIN – The Shamokin Area School District will hold classes today with increased police presence in and around school buildings. Late Tuesday afternoon, the district was alerted to a social media post threatening a school shooting.
After consulting with police, the threat’s credibility could not be confirmed, and the district decided to proceed with the regular schedule on Wednesday. Superintendent Chris Venna urged students, parents, and guardians to avoid spreading unverified information on social media. He emphasized the importance of reviewing children’s social media activity and having conversations about responsible online behavior.
In a related incident, he says Lourdes Regional School will be closed on Thursday, September 19, due to a separate threat. Both schools were mentioned in local threats, heightening concerns within the community.
Venna reassured families that safety remains the district’s top priority, and any individuals responsible for making these threats will be fully investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. “We will not tolerate threats of this nature,” he said.
The district is working closely with law enforcement to ensure a safe environment for students and staff. Any concerning content should be reported immediately to a trusted adult, school administrator, or through the Safe2Say tip line.
