Threats Not Credible: Classes Resume At Coatesville Campus: Officials

COATESVILLE, PA — Coatesville Area High School District will resume classes for grades eight to 12 Wednesday following Tuesday’s closure due to threats of weapons and fire accelerants in school buildings, Richard F. Dunlap Jr., interim superintendent, said.

“It was deemed that they were not credible threats,” Dunlap said in a statement on a video available Tuesday. “This was an extremely frustrating string of threats. These disruptions and intimidation simply will not be tolerated.”

Callers left messages on the school Tip Line that there were fire accelerants and weapons in the school buildings. Students and staff were evacuated to the school football stadium.

Subsequently, school was canceled Tuesday for grades eight to 12.

Dunlap said two students were arrested as a result of a fight that broke out with six students in the stadium after 1,400 students were evacuated.

The identities of the students and further information about the charges were not released.

“While the entire scene was disturbing, we are grateful that it was not more serious,” Dunlap said.

When the fight broke out, 911 was called, resulting in a large police response. No weapons or explosives were found.

“We made the decision to close school for grades eight to 12 Tuesday to give everyone a moment to take a breath,” Dunlap said.

In the meantime, school police, Caln Township police, the district attorney’s office and the FBI are investigating the source of the threats.

Dunlap asked parents to check their children’s phones and speak with them about the seriousness of the threats.

He concluded saying that the vast majority of students care about education and are deeply frustrated about the string of threats and disruptions.

Read Patch’s account of the aftermath of the threats Monday on a Safe2Say School Tip Line here.