Student responsible for pair of bomb threats in Penns Valley identified, superintendent says

Penns Valley Area School District said it has identified the student responsible for bomb threats that caused the high school to close on Tuesday and evacuate on Wednesday.

Penns Valley canceled school for all students early Tuesday morning after an unspecified bomb threat was found on a bathroom wall in the high school. State police and bomb dogs were brought in to search the building and found no credible threat.

After students returned on Wednesday, another unspecified bomb threat was found on another bathroom wall, prompting the district to evacuate the building.

Superintendent Brian Griffith wrote in a Thursday afternoon Facebook post that the student responsible for writing the threats was identified. The student left the building with state police Thursday and there are no plans for the student to return, Griffith wrote.

“We consider this the highest level of material disruption,” Griffith said to the CDT.

State police will be working with the Centre County District Attorney on the next steps, Griffith wrote. The student’s age or grade was not released.

Griffith said five administrators were investigating the threats, with the help of 75-80 teachers and staff members who looked at handwriting samples during an emergency faculty meeting on Wednesday.

“We’re talking to dozens of students to make sure their stories match up,” Griffith said. “We’re listening in the hallways.”

Although Griffith believes the threats posed no real danger to students or staff, they still come at a high cost. It’s a waste of taxpayer resources, teacher and administrator time, and an entire school day. Not to mention the mental toll it can have on the school community, he said.

In response to the threats on Tuesday, stricter rules on bathroom usage were in place for students on Wednesday. Despite the vast majority of students following district rules, when threats are made precautions are put on the entire student population, Griffith said.

Penns Valley isn’t the only district that has dealt with student threats this week. Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District issued a letter to families on Wednesday after a middle school student made a verbal threat to harm people at a district Trunk or Treat event. The student is now facing charges through the state police, as well as and school disciplinary measures, Superintendent Dan Potutschnig wrote.

“Please remind your children that threats of violence, even if made in jest, are never acceptable and carry serious consequences,” Potutschnig wrote. “We also encourage you to speak with them about the importance of reporting any concerns they may have to a trusted adult.”

Griffith had a similar plea to parents, asking them to monitor their children’s online and in-person behavior. The district relies heavily on parent cooperation, Griffith said.

“Our students — they’re growing, they’re trying to find their own way,” Griffith said. “Don’t be afraid to monitor what they are doing.”

This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 5:04 PM.