Ashland police say school threats unrelated; Southern Boone will have class Wednesday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Ashland Police Department released a statement Tuesday providing more details about alleged threats that led schools to close early Monday.

Students remained out of class Tuesday after parents met with administrators Monday and expressed their concerns about threats toward schools. The topic made headlines nationwide last week as schools dealt with hoax threats on social media.

The Southern Boone School District wrote in a Tuesday press release that class will be in session on Wednesday.

Police arrested a juvenile Friday for threats toward Southern Boone Middle School and another student was arrested Monday on similar allegations. The Friday arrest was accompanied by rumors of weapons at the Southern Boone football game.

"APD’s investigation did not find any evidence of a student in possession of a firearm or knife at the September 13 home football game," the statement says. "No adult, student, or SBS staff member reported seeing a firearm or knife at the game to 911/APD."

No bomb threat was made toward the school district Monday, the message says.

"There are no other known threats to the schools or our students at this time, there have been no other threats brought to the attention of APD, whether investigated and acted upon or not," police wrote.

The statement was posted to combat specific pieces of misinformation circulating online, police say. The two students arrested Friday and Monday don't appear to have a connection, according to the post.

"We know this recent situation has caused a great deal of concern, and emotions and anxieties may be high. Please know that the school district has been working diligently with the Ashland Police Department and school safety experts to continue to provide a safe environment for our students and staff. The district’s administrative team met this morning with a representative from the Missouri School Boards Association’s Center for Education Safety to review protocols around school threats and discuss various safety-related topics," a Tuesday press release from the school district says