April 9, 2018

Dear UUSD Parents,

This morning, the Healdsburg Unified superintendent, Chris Vanden Heuvel, contacted me to let me know their district and several others in Sonoma County received the exact same anonymous email threatening an attack on a school. Though the email was very vague, the Healdsburg superintendent immediately notified the Healdsburg Police Department. Based on HPD’s investigation, it became apparent quickly that the email had originated in Europe, from a group that has tried to create panic by emailing threats in the United Kingdom.

Shortly after hearing from Chris Vanden Heuvel, I received the same email in my inbox. I immediately contacted the Ukiah Police Department, who in turn, contacted HPD. Here’s what we know:

The European group that appears to be responsible for the emails referred to yesterday’s release of the email on their Twitter account, apologizing to followers for emailing schools too early, and thus not inciting mass school evacuations. Therefore, HPD, along with other law enforcement agencies in Sonoma County deemed the threat to be a hoax and thus to not be credible, which is why schools in Sonoma County are open today.

The email was clearly intended to incite panic and presents no threat. However, I wanted to notify you immediately to make sure you were informed with the most current information. Student and staff safety are of paramount importance for us, and even though this threat was a hoax, we will continue to investigate every threat, no matter how vague.

To that end, Ukiah Police Chief Chris Dewey encourages all of us to immediately share with the Ukiah Police Department any information about any alleged threats to student or staff safety. Timely information allows UPD to investigate as quickly as possible. If the threat is credible, action can be taken quickly. If the threat turns out to be unfounded, timely information allows us all to reduce fear and anxiety as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

 Debra Kubin, Superintendent