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Alleged Threat Keeps Many Iowa City High School Students At Home

Fewer students than usual attended classes at West High School in Iowa City today because of an alleged threat. West High principal Gregg Shoultz says they received a report Friday of a post on Snapchat that included a picture of a gun and text about the high school.  He says officials met with the student who allegedly made made the threat, but the student never confirmed it. Shoultz says although there is no threat, many students opted to stay home today.

“We had several students elect not to come to school today based on the rumor that was out there,” he said.  “It was almost 600 of our two-thousand students. We think the number is between five and six hundred students did not come to school today.”

Shoultz says they had a safe learning day today and he urges students to attend school tomorrow. In an email to West High School parents, Shoultz said between the Iowa City Police, the school district administration and the West High staff, they feel confident appropriate steps have been taken to ensure student safety.  The Iowa City Police are continuing to investigate.

Julie Englander was the local host of Weekend Edition on Iowa Public Radio and substitute host for Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Midday breaks until her retirement on Dec. 31, 2022.