All valley schools to remain closed Friday

All public schools in the Flathead Valley will remain closed on Friday following a series of threats made via text message and email that led to the closure of schools throughout the valley on Thursday.

A statement released by the county superintendent of schools Thursday said that local law enforcement and the FBI “feel the threat is creditable and they are working diligently to apprehend the suspect.”

Any extra-curricular activities or athletic events that would need to leave campus prior to 10 a.m. on Friday are also canceled.

“If the situation changes and we are able to consider having extra-curricular activities and athletics that occur after school on Friday or that occur on Saturday, a decision will be made by 10 a.m. on Friday,” the statement noted.

“The safety and best interests of our students and staff remain our top priority. We will continue to monitor the situation and update communities as we have more information.”

Flathead Valley Community College, including Lincoln County Campus, will remain closed on Friday, as well. All classes and activities are canceled, and all offices and the Early Childhood Center will be closed.

The public school closure includes the following districts:

Bigfork

Cayuse Prairie

Columbia Falls

Creston

Deer Park

Evergreen

Fair-Mont-Egan

Kalispell

Helena Flats

Kila

Marion

Olney-Bissell

Pleasant Valley

Smith Valley

Somers/Lakeside

Swan River

West Glacier

West Valley

Whitefish

Kalispell Montessori

St. Matthew’s

Stillwater Christian

Trinity Lutheran

Whitefish Christian Academy

Woodland Montessori