UPDATE 1/31/2022 @ 2:35 pm:
After a thorough investigation by the Douglas Police Department, Douglas High School administration, and law enforcement outside the state of Wyoming, it has been determined that a possible threat of a school shooting that students and administrators saw on social media Sunday night was not aimed at Douglas High School in Wyoming. Instead, the threat involved out-of-state institutions. Nevertheless, Superintendent Dr. Paige Fenton Hughes would like to express her thanks to the students and parents who reported the troubling social media post so it could be immediately addressed.
It was impossible to discern from the initial post the exact nature of the threat. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, Douglas High School went virtual on Monday, January 31. Based on the results of the investigation, in-person school will fully resume on Tuesday morning. Converse County School District #1 appreciates the close partnership with the Douglas Police Department. Douglas Police Chief Todd Byerly said he was very satisfied with the tandem response of the department and the district. According to Byerly, "things went about as well as they could have" under the circumstances. The number one priority of Converse County School District #1 is the safety of students and staff, and Fenton Hughes thanks the community and parents who are always supportive.
Original Post:
Late last evening and into the early morning hours, high school administration became aware of an online threat of shooting violence specifically related to Douglas High School. An investigation by district staff, local law enforcement, and state personnel is ongoing, but the district needs more time to discern the exact nature of this threat. Therefore, Douglas High School will move to a virtual day on Monday, January 31. All DHS students should log in to the Canvas platform and check their school email. Activities practices after school will depend on how the situation unfolds, so coaches will be in touch with practice details later today.
There has been no threat to the other school buildings in the district; therefore, in-person classes are able to take place as usual. Every precaution will be taken to ensure student and staff safety at those buildings. Law enforcement will be present at all sites in the morning and throughout the day on Monday. Students at any grade level can login to their online classes if families feel safer keeping their kids at home. Please follow the virtual guidelines for your schools, and let teachers know if your students will be participating virtually.
If any parents or students have information related to this threat, please report it to high school administrators by calling the school at 307.358.2940 or by emailing Principal Mackey at [email protected]. We will send updates by email if additional information becomes available. As always, thanks for your cooperation and partnership.