North Mason closed for threat

Matt Baide | Jan 27, 20220

The North Mason School District closed Hawkins Middle School, James A. Taylor and North Mason high schools on Tuesday due to a recommendation from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office investigated threats of violence Monday and recommended closing the upper campus until the investigation was completed, according to a news release from the school district.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office deemed the threats not credible after determining the threats could not be validated.

“We are thankful that the sheriff’s investigation determined there was not a credible threat,” the release said. “Student and staff safety is our first priority. We made the decision to cancel classes when informed of the potential threat.”

The Sheriff’s Office learned at 11:50 a.m. Monday of the alleged threat, which was found by students who saw a Snapchat post from students allegedly attending another school, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. The alleged threats targeted parents and students planning a walkout demonstration Tuesday and the group from another school was “going to show up with weapons.”

The Sheriff’s Office said the threat was specific to the upper campus. Belfair and Sand Hill elementary schools operated under normal conditions.

“The Mason County Sheriff’s Office works continually in partnership with all the Mason County school districts to ensure the safety of students and staff,” the MCSO news release stated.

Because school was not canceled for every school, the day will not be made up by the middle and high school students missing class Tuesday. School resumed as usual on Wednesday.

Other violent threats were made against North Mason High School earlier this school year, and the threats being investigated Tuesday were unrelated. Two students at Hawkins Middle School made threats Dec. 10 and they were arrested after planning to bring guns to school and kill people. North Mason received a threat through TikTok on Dec. 17, but the threat was deemed not viable. On Jan. 12, North Mason School District posted a letter to social media about more fights occurring at North Mason High School this year and the school was cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office to investigate and respond to rumors of gang involvement.