Logan County Schools releases message from superintendent regarding online threats

LOGAN COUNTY, Ky. – The Logan County Schools district has released the following message Wednesday morning from superintendent Dan Costellow, Ed. D. regarding concerns about school threats:

“Dear Logan County Families,”

“Good morning. I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates about school safety and address concerns surrounding recent threats circulating on social media.

“Last week, I met with other Kentucky superintendents who were beginning to receive vague threats to their schools and districts. Unfortunately, these threats have caused disruptions to learning and, more importantly, concern for the safety and peace of mind of students, staff, and parents. We now are beginning to see similar messages make their way to our own students and families.

Safety Measures in Place

“Our school and district administrators, along with our School Resource Officers (SROs) and local law enforcement, are actively investigating any safety concerns. Yesterday, a few students and staff at three of our schools received a screenshot of a non-specific threat, which has also been shared across other districts. The message mentioned that if a fire alarm is pulled, students should run to a safe place rather than exit the building. I want to reassure you that we have protocols in place for such situations. In the event of an unplanned fire alarm, our administrators and designated staff will carefully assess the situation before anyone exits the building. Ensuring the safety of your children is our top priority.

No Internal Threats Identified

“Since yesterday morning, we have also been made aware of additional messages exchanged between two students at Olmstead. We are actively investigating this, and the student who sent the texts will not be allowed to return to school at this time. Any messages or posts that come to our attention will be addressed swiftly and seriously. Investigations will be conducted thoroughly, and we will communicate as necessary with law enforcement, staff, and our school community. While state and federal laws limit the details we can share in specific situations, please rest assured that your child’s safety remains our first priority.

Keeping Our Schools Safe

“We appreciate the vigilance of our students, parents, and staff in bringing these messages to our attention. If your child shares any concerning information, please contact their school’s principal immediately so that we can address it promptly and appropriately. You can also utilize the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security’s online reporting tool at Safe Schools (this link is also available on our district website). If students, parents, or community members are aware of an unsafe situation at school—whether it’s bullying, weapons, drugs, or alcohol—they can anonymously pass on that information to school personnel using this simple email format.

“We also encourage open conversations with your children about the importance of school safety. Remind them to speak up if they see or hear something that doesn’t seem right. Additionally, if you are not actively monitoring your child’s social media and text communications, it is essential to begin doing so now. Together, we can ensure a safe and secure environment for all students.

Upcoming Safety Improvements

“Additionally, we are currently in the process of installing the Centegix safety alert system in our schools, which will further strengthen our ability to respond to emergencies. Training for staff will begin soon, and we are working to have the system fully operational as quickly as possible.

“I understand how concerning this situation may be, but please know that we are committed to doing everything we can to protect our students. As a parent and an educator, I pray daily for the safety of our students and staff. Thank you for your continued support and trust as we work together to ensure our schools remain safe places for your children to learn and grow.”