Johnston, Iowa closes schools for Tuesday following threats

Johnston Community School District

JOHNSTON, Iowa (Bettendorf Growl) — All schools in the Des Moines suburb of Johnston have been closed and classes cancelled for Tuesday, Oct. 3 after specific parents and students received threatening messages. 

The following is a message from the school district: 

"Johnston have Around 8 p.m. on the evening of October 2, individual students and parents within our school district received anonymous messages, threatening the safety and security of our students. In an effort of caution, we will be cancelling school for all students and district staff on Tuesday, October 3. All district buildings will be closed and there is no KTC program. School district officials are working closely with the Johnston Police Department to track down the validity of the message and its source. We understand this may inconvenience parents and caretakers. However, the safety of our students – your children – is the foremost reasoning behind this action. As we receive information from the Johnston Police Department, we will keep you updated. If you have information related to these threats, please contact the Johnston Police Department at 515-278-2345."