Reported threats, false rumors for Foley School District

Foley Public Schools Superintendent Dan Posthumus sent three mass emails to parents and staff Oct. 8, first informing recipients of a potential threat in the district, then confirming multiple reported threats had occurred thus far throughout the school year and lastly addressing a flood of misinformation surrounding the subject on social media.

During a follow-up interview that evening, Posthumus explained that a potential threat coming from within one of the district schools was reported and investigated in partnership with the Foley Police Department Oct. 8.

That reported threat, according to Foley Police Chief Katie McMillin, involved a “toy weapon; incapable of any function.”

Posthumus confirmed that the Oct. 8 reported threat marked the third such incident investigated since the start of the school year in September. The second investigation into reported threats at the school occurred about two weeks prior.

McMillin said the other recent investigations entailed threatening language. Because children were involved in the matter, she did not confirm whether criminal charges stemmed from any of the incidents. Similarly, she declined to provide information regarding which schools were involved in the investigations.

Posthumus and McMillin concurred that the incidents appeared unrelated to each other, and, upon investigation, none of the reports were deemed legitimate threats to student or staff safety.

Posthumus sent the first mass email following the Oct. 8 incident at approximately 1:15 p.m. He concluded that message by writing, “We will continue to take all reports seriously and take appropriate action.”

About two and a half hours later, Posthumus’ second mass email on the topic stated the threat had been thoroughly reviewed and determined not to be an active danger for staff or students. Threats from students or other individuals are treated with disciplinary and legal action taken in accordance with district policy and state and federal law, he said.

Following the second email, which was posted to the Foley Public Schools Facebook page, rumors started circulating online, including in the comments beneath the post, regarding hearsay that the reported threat involved a firearm in the school.

That false information prompted Posthumus’ third and final email on the topic that day, which he sent to parents and staff and posted online at approximately 6:20 p.m. He addressed the misinformation directly, writing, “While I am limited in how much specific information I can provide to correct the misinformation due to data privacy concerns, I can definitively state that there was no loaded gun in the building and that there is absolutely no threat or danger to any staff or students of Foley Public Schools.”

Posthumus said staff and student safety is a top priority for the district. He encouraged families to report concerns immediately to a trusted adult, school officials or law enforcement.