5/12/26
Message from Superintendent Okerlund

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are providing an update regarding the situation that occurred earlier today.

A written threat was discovered in a girls’ restroom at the secondary school stating, “I will shoot up the school May 27th 2026.” School officials immediately contacted and consulted with local law enforcement. With the limited time available, we acted to put student and staff safety first.

The situation developed with approximately 30 minutes remaining in the school day. During that time, we worked to assess the threat, consult with law enforcement, manage dismissal, and communicate with staff and families. Due to the limited time before dismissal, all after-school activities were canceled out of an abundance of caution. This resulted in adjustments to dismissal, transportation, and Kids Company.

Based on the information available at this time, and in consultation with law enforcement, we do not have information indicating an immediate threat to our school community. We are continuing to take this matter seriously and are implementing additional safety measures.

School will be in session tomorrow, Wednesday, May 13, with increased law enforcement presence and additional safety precautions.

We understand that some students may feel scared, worried, or have questions after learning about this situation. Each school building is staffed with a district mental health professional who is available to support students as needed. Families are encouraged to contact their child’s building principal if they believe their child may need additional support.

As part of our safety precautions, we ask parents, guardians, and community members to limit non-essential visits to school buildings, including visits such as eating lunch with your child. Reducing building traffic will help staff support students, maintain routines, and implement safety measures.

Please also observe the following student drop-off times, as students may not be supervised before these times:
Secondary School: 7:30 a.m.
Albany Elementary: 7:45 a.m.
Avon Elementary and ELC: 8:00 a.m.
Kids Company, all elementary sites: 6:45 a.m.

Families dropping off or picking up students from Kids Company should do so without entering the building. Staff will be outside to greet students and assist.

If you have information related to this situation, please contact the Albany Police Department at mgannon@ci.albany.mn.us, your child’s building principal, or a district administrator.

We will continue to share updates as appropriate. Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our schools safe.