Students stay away from Simon Kenton HS in droves on Thursday after social media ‘rumors’

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A huge number of students at Simon Kenton High School in northern Kentucky did not go to school on Thursday as police investigated a threat to the school that turned out to be social media “rumors.”

About 400 of the 1,800 students at the Independence school, about eight miles southeast of Florence, did not attend classes.

Independence police and school officials began investigating Wednesday after a social media post warned of a school shooting and concern circulated among students and parents, according to several media reports. No credible threat was found.

“It’s an important topic to discuss with any type of student,” Director of Public Information and Community Engagement for Kenton County Schools Jess Dykes said in a statement. “You know when you see something on social media or if you hear something in school it is imperative that you report it so that we can investigate it and then let everyone know that this is not a credible threat.”

Police said the incident remains under investigation and the law enforcement presence at the school was increased.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000