Michigan school district closed Monday over ‘possible threat’

BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Byron Center Public Schools in Michigan will be closed Monday after the district was notified of a “ possible threat ,” the superintendent wrote in a letter to families Sunday night.

“Earlier this afternoon, Byron Center Public Schools was notified of a possible threat to West Middle School or Byron Center High School for Monday September 9, 2024. We continue to work with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office to determine the credibility of the report,” wrote Superintendent Kevin Macina in the letter to families .

“For the safety of the entire BCPS community the whole district will be closed on Monday. As we gather relevant information we will keep you updated. More information will be shared regarding extracurricular activities,” Macina wrote in the letter.

Room to Bloom, the district’s early childhood center, will also be closed Monday.

Macina promised to keep parents informed and continue to review safety procedures to make sure they are up to date and “effective for all buildings and events.”

An investigation also happened at East Kentwood High School, according to a letter from the principal.

East Kentwood Freshman Campus Principal Dominic Lowe told students and families Sunday night there is no safety threat to the community, in light of social media posts that may be “concerning.”

“I am writing to share information with you about some conversation threads that have been circulating on social media this weekend that may be concerning to some of our students and families,” Lowe wrote in a letter to families and staff Sunday.

Lowe credited a student with tipping off the school, although he did not specify what the conversation threads were about. East Kentwood and its school resource officer from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office worked together to “successfully resolve this situation,” he wrote.

“At no time during this situation was there a threat to the safety of our school community,” Lowe wrote.

He stressed the importance of safety and encouraged students to report concerns to a trusted school adult, Silent Observer or OK2Say .

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