Genesee County (Michigan) schools closed rest of week as rumors of violence swirl

FLINT, MI -- Schools in Genesee County will be closed Thursday and Friday after threats of violence allegedly tied to the end of the Mayan calendar swirled around area school districts.
The Genesee Intermediate School District offered this statement:

"It is clear that last Friday changed all of us. As educators, we acknowledge, and we believe our communities would agree, that schools are at the center of concern right now. As school district Superintendents we have been in constant communication with one another and there are too many unique factors that have influenced our unanimous decision to cancel school and all school activities for Thursday, December 20 and Friday, December 21.

"Our communities are anxious, parents are concerned about the safety of their children, there are rumors that have multiplied as a result of social media, and there are threats within local districts that bring pause as to whether conducting classes would be appropriate. We have discussed information from local law enforcement, the realities of being able to investigate every threat, information related to district sensitivities, and our concerns about whether a normal instructional day could be achieved."

Schools across the area are taking precautions against rumors that some students plan to bring weapons to school Friday in conjunction with the end of the Mayan calender, Johnson said previously.

Law enforcement also were forced to respond to Grand Blanc High School after a 911 call came in reporting shots fired at the high school shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The text message that created a 911 call came from the parent of a student at the high school's east campus. Police soon found out that there was a similar text message that went out at the same time from a student in the west campus. Police tracked down that student and said the student also told officers it was a text. Police have not determined if the texts were a coordinated effort by the pair.

Lapeer, Almont, North Branch and Dryden schools in neighboring Lapeer County also sent out letters Wednesday night canceling class for the rest of the week.


http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/12/genesee_county_schools_closed.html#incart_river_default