The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has identified a person of interest in connection with a threatening message sent to a Fox C-6 School District Board of Education member, spokesman Grant Bissell said today (Feb. 4)
Bissell also said the Sheriff’s Office was still investigating the recent threat and no arrests had been made.
Neither Bissell nor Fox school officials would say which board member received the threat.
Bissell said the school board member did not indicate when the message was sent, although the board member told investigators the threat was sent via an online messaging service.
Bissell said the board member reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 24.
The threatening message prompted the board to hold its Tuesday (Feb. 1) virtually instead of at the Fox C-6 Service Center, 849 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold.
“It is with great sadness and disappointment that I have to say due to a very nasty, serious and dangerous threat to a board member and their family, some board members felt this was the safest way to meet for that board member and the patrons who would have attended the meeting,” board president Judy Smith said at the start of Tuesday evening’s meeting, which was available to watch on Fox’s YouTube channel. “We certainly do not like to meet in this manner. We would prefer to be in person with you all in attendance also. We thank you for your patience and understanding”
At the time, Fox officials would not say which law enforcement agency the threat was reported to, and Bissell said the Sheriff’s Office had not received a report about a Fox school board member being threatened. However, after searching individual board members’ names, he found the report.
On Wednesday (Feb. 2), the district issued a written statement that said, “Out of respect for the privacy of everyone involved, the district will not be providing details regarding the personal threats sent by a member of the public. The district prioritizes the safety and security of our community, including our students, staff, and school leaders. The district has taken action to address this situation as the process moves through the legal system.”
In the statement about the threat, Fox officials said the decision to hold Tuesday’s meeting virtually was made internally. The statement went on to say, “The district does not tolerate threats of physical violence and will continue to take necessary actions to respect the rights of our students and staff to work and learn in an environment free from disruption or fear.”
Fox’s next board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the service center.