'Online Threat' Prompts Richfield Public School Closures

RICHFIELD, MN — There will be no school for a number of Richfield students Monday after the district "received online threats against our secondary schools."

Richfield Middle School, Richfield High School, the South Education Center and the Richfield College Experience Program will be closed Monday, officials announced.

However, all elementary schools will remain open "as they were not the target of the threats," said Superintendent Steven Unowsky in a letter to parents.

The elementary schools will have additional staff on site from the district office and patrols throughout the day from the Richfield Police Department, according to Unowsky.

"If families choose to keep their elementary students home for the day, it will be an excused absence if they follow their school’s absence reporting procedures," Unowsky added.

"We are aware that this is an unsettling message to receive. We are grateful to the Richfield community for your support and to the individuals who reported the threats to us. While we had hoped to see students today to offer support, connection and learning, we are making this decision with student and staff safety in mind. Support staff will be available via phone or Google Meets to support students and families."

Monday's threats come after two people were injured in a shooting at Richfield High School's homecoming football game on Friday. Two teens were arrested in the shooting.