LEXINGTON, N.C. — Lexington City Schools dismissed Lexington Senior High School at 11 a.m. Tuesday because of ongoing social media threats, according to the school district.
The threats are being investigated by Lexington police.
Lexington City Schools shared the following statement on the early dismissal:
"Lexington Senior High School is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff following a social media threat that was made this morning, on October 3, 2023, and is currently under investigation by the Lexington Police Department. In response to this ongoing situation, we will have an early dismissal today at 11:00 a.m.
The decision to implement early dismissal is made out of an abundance of caution and is in close coordination with the local authorities. We understand the concerns this situation may raise and apologize for any inconvenience caused by the disruption to our regular schedules. Our primary focus is on the safety of our students and staff.
We want to reassure our community that the moment Lexington City Schools became aware of the threat, we promptly reported it to the Lexington Police Department, who have been actively engaged in the investigation from the outset.
We have been closely monitoring the situation and have been in continuous communication with the Lexington Police Department to assess any potential risks. The early dismissal is a precautionary measure to minimize any potential exposure to our school community.
Parents and guardians of Lexington Senior High School students, please make the necessary arrangements for your children's early dismissal at 11:00 a.m. today. Follow any additional instructions provided by school staff to ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process.
We will continue to work in collaboration with the Lexington Police Department and provide updates as the situation unfolds. Our commitment to the safety of our students and staff remains unwavering, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time."
Lexington Senior High School is one of five other schools/school systems to dismiss students early, cancel classes, or delay dismissal due to threats of violence this year.
Early Dismissal Timeline
Tuesday, Sept. 12: Northeast Middle and Northeast High School in McLeansville were put on lockdown and delayed dismissal due to a report of a weapon on campus.
Thursday, Sept. 18: Alleghany County Schools said it was dismissing all schools early and "immediately".
Wednesday, Sept. 27: Elkin City Schools announced it was closing all schools on Sept. 28 due to threats.
Monday, Oct. 2: Wilkes County Schools dismissed early Monday due to a threat directed toward multiple schools.
Tuesday, Oct. 3: Lexington City Schools dismissed early due to social media threats.