Threat keeps kids away

Photo: Wayne Moore

UPDATE: 9 a.m.

Attendance at Mount Boucherie Secondary School appears significantly down today in the wake of a threat made against the school.

The school district deemed the threat not credible, but Castanet's Wayne Moore reports from the scene that school buses are showing up more than half empty.

One student at the West Kelowna school said the parking lot is usually much fuller in the morning, but most arriving at MBSS didn't want to talk about the situation.

During a run of 15 school buses arriving at the school, all were more than half empty, and three arrived with less than five students on board.

ORIGINAL: 5 a.m.

Many students aren't expected to show up at Mount Boucherie Secondary School today after a threat was made two weeks ago, but the school district has once again reassured students and parents the threat is not credible.

On Feb. 22, a student threatened to carry out a shooting at the school on March 9, prompting a response from the school and the RCMP.

On Tuesday, police said they immediately launched an investigation and “continue to work closely with school, the student and his family at this time.”

Despite reassurance from the administration of MBSS, many students and parents at the school have expressed concerns about safety, and some students say they won't be attending school on Friday as a precaution.

One student estimated that half the school's population wouldn't be showing up Friday.

Some students say they're frustrated the school hasn't elaborated on why they don't believe the threat is credible, but Terry Beaudry, deputy superintendent of School District 23, said they couldn't disclose details.

Beaudry did say that any student who decides not to attend MBSS Friday would "absolutely not" be punished. 

Kevin Kaardal, superintendent of School District 23, sent out a letter to the school's parents Thursday night.

“This is not a credible threat and school will be in operation as usual,” Kaardaal said in the letter.

“We are committed to ensuring the emotional health and safety of our students and staff in our school district.”

Thursday evening, Kelowna RCMP said they had been “inundated with numerous calls” from concerned parents about rumours of students at Kelowna Secondary School making threats as well.

Staff Sgt. Brad Swecera said they had fully investigated these threats and determined they were “not valid.”