State confirms 40 districts received threats

CHIMACUM — The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction confirmed that at least 40 school districts across the state received emailed threats on Wednesday.

Two North Olympic Peninsula districts, Chimacum and Crescent, were among those that received emails, all of which were found not to be credible.

“We have been in touch with the regional safety coordinators for that area, and have been told that the email threat went to 40 school district superintendents simultaneously,” said Katy Payne, executive director of communications for OSPI.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

On Wednesday, Chimacum School District students were evacuated after Superintendent Scott Mauk received the email.

“Walk-throughs were done of each building and Washington State Patrol bomb squad was dispatched and law enforcement eventually cleared the facilities around 1:30 p.m., finding no credible evidence to the threat,” Jefferson County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Brett Anglin said.

Crescent School District Superintendent Dave Bingham also received the email but did not evacuate the school, according to Clallam County Sheriff’s Brian King.

A press release issued by Crescent said that the email threat wound up in Bingham’s junk email and he was made aware of it by another superintendent along the I-5 corridor.

“Each district responded in alignment with its own operating procedures and the regional safety coordinators are coordinating and collaborating with local law enforcement,” Payne said.

A total list of affected schools has not been released.

________

Reporter Ken Park can be reached at kpark@peninsuladailynews.com

More in News

A portion of the crowd at the Hands Off rally, which started at the intersection of Laurel and First Street. An estimated 800 to 1,000 people attended in Port Angeles. (Dave Logan/For Peninsula Daily News)
Hands Off! protests on Peninsula

A portion of the crowd at the Hands Off rally, which started… Continue reading

Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Susan Fisch, standing, chair of the Clallam County Charter Review Commission, addresses a crowd of residents who packed the meeting room at KSQM FM (91.5) last month for the first of several town hall events. Speakers were allowed up to three minutes to share their views about issues related to the charter that they consider most important.
Charter meeting draws crowd

Open house set tonight in Joyce

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading

Margo Karler of Port Townsend looks up at the plaster covers protecting a tusk that was found by hikers on the beach near the Point Wilson lighthouse in March. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Fossil found in sandstone bluff at Fort Worden

State Parks, Burke museum developing plan for preservation

Ian’s Ride receives volunteer service award

Ian’s Ride has received a Washington State Volunteer Service Award… Continue reading

Boating coach Eric Lesch, at a whiteboard, explains sailing techniques to a youth sailboat class. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Teenagers learning boating skills through program

Nonprofit funded by grants, agencies and donations

Land trust successful with campaign fund

Public access expected to open this year

Mark Hodgson.
Hodgson plans to run for Port Angeles City Council

Schromen-Wawrin, who currently holds seat, won’t run again

Pet vaccination clinic set for Saturday in Port Townsend

Pet Helpers of Port Townsend will conduct a pet… Continue reading