Butler High School Threat Not Directed at a Person, Superintendent Says

Local police officers were scheduled throughout Butler schools and Bloomingdale schools held safety assemblies Friday morning on the heels of an incident in which a threat was reported toward Butler High School on Thursday.

According to a letter written by Butler Public Schools Superintendent Mario Cardinale and posted on the district's website, officials learned of the threat which was "of a more generalized and non-specific nature with no sense of immediate or imminent danger," and began alerting administrators, faculty members and parents.

"The information we were alerted to was also shared with our Bloomingdale School colleagues," Cardinale said.

Bloomingdale Public Schools Interim Superintendent Frank Buglione said he was unsure in what format the threat was made but was told that it was made by an adult from Bloomingdale who is not a student of any of the local schools. He also emphasized that no person was in danger as a result of the threat.

"The threat was directed to Butler High School, no individual but the high school," he said.

Butler Police Capt. Ciro Chimento was not immediately available for comment. Buglione said limited information has been disseminated about the person who allegedly made the threat.

"They're trying to make sure that they don't violate the privacy of the person," he said.

On Friday, both school districts focused on educating staff and students about school safety, with emergency meetings and conversations about the incident. The Bloomingdale district sent emails to parents as well and planned phone calls to provide details about the event.

In Cardinale's letter, he also stressed that the district will be vigilant in promoting school safety throughout the buildings.

"We will continue to take every precaution, and we will continue to work cooperatively with all members of the law enforcement community, in maintaining a safe and secure school environment," he said.