A Facebook post by a parent of an Alliance High School student has sparked community concern after allegations that a student threatened to shoot classmates in a sign language class.
In the post, Jacqui Rhome alleged that on the morning of Oct. 28, a student threatened to “shoot and kill the entire sign language class,” naming one of her children as the first target. She said she met with the school principal and later with Superintendent Rob Gress, expressing frustration about what she viewed as a lack of communication to parents and inadequate safety measures.
Rhome said the student was facing expulsion but could return to school, adding that she was told no lockdown was initiated after the threat. “Not only has the school failed my children, they have also failed yours,” she wrote in the post, which was shared more than 100 times as of Tuesday.
In response to the circulating post, Alliance City Schools released a statement addressing the situation. The district confirmed that an Alliance High School student made “a concerning statement that referenced potential violence.”
According to the statement, school administrators “immediately” investigated the comment and removed the student from school while assessing the situation.
“We followed the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines … to evaluate the level of concern and determine appropriate next steps,” Gress wrote. “The situation was contained and presented no immediate threat; therefore, the building was not placed into lockdown.”
The statement said the incident was referred to the Alliance Police Department, which continues to investigate.
District officials emphasized that privacy laws prevent them from sharing details about student discipline but assured families that “immediate action was taken” and that the school continues to prioritize safety.
Alliance City Schools encouraged parents or students with safety concerns to contact the school directly or use the district’s “Say Something” reporting system.
