Pittsburgh-Area School District Closed Due To Threats

BUTLER, PA — The Butler Area School District has canceled classes after receiving a threat Wednesday and overnight threats that were received early Thursday.

Some of the threats were specifically directed at the senior high school, while others refer generally to "Butler," Superintendent Brian White said in a message posted on the district website.

"We have not yet been able to investigate all these new posts, and law enforcement has not yet confirmed whether these additional threats are credible or not," White said.

White said it is unreasonable to expect students and staff to focus on learning in an environment clouded by fear and uncertainty.

"While I am disappointed by the impact this situation has on our students and families, I am deeply frustrated by the individuals responsible for this disruption and the emotional distress they have caused," he said.

A number of threats this week to various Western Pennsylvania school districts prompted the FBI's Pittsburgh office on Wednesday to issue a reminder of the legal consequences of such actions. On Tuesday, a teen was arrested for allegedly making a bomb threat at an Indiana County school.