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PHILIPPI -- Officials said police were present at Philip Barbour High School Friday morning to investigate a situation which "has not been deemed a viable threat."
"It's still under investigation at the high school," Michelle Fleming, the Barbour County Schools system's director of Secondary Programs, told The Inter-Mountain at about 9:10 a.m. Friday. "I do know that we are conducting school as normal.
"We brought in some police officers this morning out of an abundance of caution, but at this time the threat has not been deemed a viable threat at all."
At 3 p.m. Friday, Fleming contacted The Inter-Mountain to share further information about the situation.
"We will always weigh on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of our students in Barbour County schools," Fleming said. "After learning about the threat yesterday, Principal (Brandon) Antion contacted our local law enforcement, and an investigation occurred.
"It was out of an abundance of caution that several law enforcement officers made their presence known at the high school this morning," she said. "We know that our students cannot learn if they do not feel safe, and we wanted to make sure they felt protected.
"Students were excused today if they felt they needed to stay at home," Fleming said. "We really, truly appreciate the support of our local law enforcement."
Fleming said both the West Virginia State Police and the Barbour County Sheriff's Office had officers present at the school Friday morning.
Asked about the nature of the threat, Fleming said, "It was a threat on a cell phone."
Asked about the investigation of the threat, she said, "Nothing was found to be viable at all."
Fleming added that classes will be in normal session at PBHS on Monday.