'This must stop:' HWDSB chair and interim director respond to school shooting threats

The interim director and chairperson of Hamilton's public school board have a clear message for anyone involved in a recent string of school shooting threats.

"This must stop."

That's what Sue Dunlop and Dawn Dankowrote in their open letterreleased lastFriday after at least nine schools in the city's public and Catholic school boards reportedthreats.

"Every threat causes anxiety for students, staff and caregivers," reads the letter.

"We will not hesitate to pursue consequences, which may involve criminal charges, as well as suspension or expulsion from school."

The string of threats followed news of an 18-year-old opening fire on a school in Texas, killing19 Grade 4 studentsand two teachers. The incident spurred conversations around school safety and gun control in the U.S. and Canada.

Police say many of the threats in Hamilton schoolswere written in bathroom stalls and threatened to shoot up schools on Friday.

The threats in Hamilton stoked fear, with at least 120 school staff saying they'd stay home. The threatsled police to have officers at some schools on Friday.

Friday came and passed, and there are no reports anyone tried to carry out the threats.

Late last week,policearrested a 14-year-old girl for threats made atSt. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary School and a 19-year-old man for threats atWestdale Secondary School.

Westdalepreemptivelyclosed Friday because of the threats but is set to re-open Monday.

Police are still investigating the other threats. Police haven't said what inspired anyone to make threats.

Dunlop and Danko say there's one way parents and caregivers can help.

"We implore families to talk with their children about the seriousness of making violent threat ... We take seriously every threat of violence against a school community and will help hold perpetrators accountable."