UPDATED: St. Croix Schools Closed Due to Threats, Safety Concerns

Tradewinds staff
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A lock keeps the entrance lane to St. Croix Central High School closed Monday morning. All public schools in the district closed after a bomb threat circulated widely on social media and a number of school monitors called in sick. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
A lock keeps the entrance lane to St. Croix Central High School closed Monday morning. All public schools in the district closed after a bomb threat circulated widely on social media and a number of school monitors called in sick. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

Updated 9:50 a.m.

The Virgin Islands Department of Education has closed all St. Croix public schools as police launched district-wide searches Monday morning in response to safety concerns and a wave of school monitors calling out sick.

Officials said the Virgin Islands Police Department, joined by other law enforcement partners, began conducting security sweeps across every St. Croix campus “out of an abundance of caution” after the circulation of a potential threat on multiple platforms. Buses were immediately dispatched to return students home while officers moved through schools to secure grounds before classes resume Tuesday .

The situation placed additional strain on the district, with VIDE citing the high number of absent school monitors as a serious gap in campus oversight. At the same time, VIPD activated heightened safety protocols across both districts, including precautionary searches on St. Thomas and St. John campuses. Those schools remained open, and officials stressed there were no active threats there.

In a statement, VIDE said the safety of students and staff remains its highest priority and vowed to provide updates as law enforcement continues its work. Police officials reminded the public that making threats of any kind is a crime under Virgin Islands law.

Maintenance workers continue repairs at John H. Woodson Junior High School Monday after all public schools in the district closed amid a bomb threat and shortage of school monitors. In-person classes at Woodson were delayed in order to let workers complete roof repairs, mold remediation and air quality testing. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Maintenance workers continue repairs at John H. Woodson Junior High School Monday after all public schools in the district closed amid a bomb threat and shortage of school monitors. In-person classes at Woodson were delayed in order to let workers complete roof repairs, mold remediation and air quality testing. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)

Posted 8 a.m.

St. Croix public high schools are closed Monday due to “concerning threats” to harm students and blow up campuses, according to an urgent alert the V.I. Education Department issued around 7:30 a.m. on social media. It said the decision also comes as “a significant number” of school monitors have called in sick.

The department said the threats and messages have been circulated across multiple platforms “indicating intent to cause harm to students and to blow up school campuses,” and immediate precautionary measures are being taken to protect the safety of the students, faculty, and staff.

“In adherence to established safety protocols, the St. Croix Central High School, St. Croix Educational Complex High School, and St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center will be closed on Monday. This decision also follows notice that a significant number of school monitors at these campuses have called in sick and confirmed that they will not report to work. Their absence gravely impacts the Department’s ability to adequately monitor and manage school operations,” the alert stated.

The VIDE has requested that students, faculty and staff do not report to these campuses Monday. “This closure will allow law enforcement to continue its investigation into the threats that have been made and ensure that campuses are fully secured before resuming normal operations,” it said.

“The VIDE emphasizes that threats of any kind will never be taken lightly. Individuals should be reminded that making such threats is a serious crime and carries legal consequences. The VIDE will continue to fully support law enforcement in holding any responsible parties accountable,” it said.

The department asked for the cooperation and support of parents, guardians and the broader community as it works alongside law enforcement agencies to safeguard the schools.

“The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. The VIDE will not tolerate threats to our schools and stand firmly with law enforcement in pursuing anyone who seeks to disrupt learning or endanger lives. We urge our community to remain vigilant and to continue supporting our students as we work through this matter together,” the alert stated.

Further updates will be provided through official VIDE communication platforms as more information becomes available, it said.

Public schools in the St. Croix district closed early after a potential bomb threat circulated on social media and a number of school monitors called in sick. Law enforcement and the V.I. Education Department stated that there was no active threat made against schools in the St. Thomas-St. John district. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Public schools in the St. Croix district closed early after a potential bomb threat circulated on social media and a number of school monitors called in sick. Law enforcement and the V.I. Education Department stated that there was no active threat made against schools in the St. Thomas-St. John district. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)