A rural Macon County school leader is reacting to the recent threats made to several schools throughout Macon County.

Warrensburg-Latham Schools Superintendent Cheryl Warner indicates her school was among a handful mentioned in some online threats. While there was never a threat to the school district, she indicates they have to take any threats made as legitimate.

Warner and her staff are very proactive when it comes to preparation for any events that could happen and impact her students and families. She explains each new threat creates an opportunity for learning and review. 

According to Warner, the ability to be able to train fellow teachers and school district staff is an opportunity they feel is very valuable. She points out a core belief of hers is if you want to learn something is to learn to teach it. 

A growing and maybe even more alarming trend impacting schools in America today is Artificial Intelligence or AI. Warner explains while it hasn't happened to them yet, they have a crisis tip line that is triggered by AI from time to time.

Warner encourages parents to speak with their kids about the impacts these threats can have on their personal lives. She indicates the young people who made the threats a few weeks ago in Macon County were swiftly apprehended and will likely be facing serious consequences for those decisions.

She also notes that threats like these have far-reaching community impacts like increased police presence at schools and also parents making decisions about what to do for their kids in the days that follow those threats. She adds it is not just the school day that is impacted - although the impact on the school day can be significant.