A voicemail and text threatening violence prompted the closure of Powell Butte Community Charter School Wednesday morning.
Prineville Police and the Crook County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the threats, according to the school district.
The FBI confirmed late Wednesday it also was looking into the threats.
“The FBI is aware of the threat involving Powell Butte Community Charter School, and we are providing assistance to the Crook County Sheriff’s Office,” said Beth Ann Steele, a public affairs specialist with the FBI. “Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we cannot comment further on the specifics.”
She said the agency regularly “exchanges information with local, state, and federal partners concerning potential threats and public safety matters, especially when there are possible threats in a school setting.”
Undersheriff James Savage said the calls came in Tuesday night and were discovered Wednesday morning.
He said extra patrols would monitor the area on Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, the district said Principal Jenn Berry-O’Shea made the decision to cancel school for the day to allow police to search the school property and begin their investigation.
District officials said the threat was specific to the small community school, which houses about 200 students in grades K-12.
It’s located on Highway 126 between Redmond and Prineville.
Classes for all other schools will start on time and bus routes are running on their normal schedules.
