LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Schools plagued by anonymous threats are dealing with more after threats came into several schools on Monday morning.
The Dallas Area and Lake-Lehman School Districts in Luzerne County's Back Mountain reported threats early in the school day.
Dallas Area announced it is closing for the day.
An alert to parents said Lake-Lehman students were sheltering in place until buses could return to district schools.
Parents are frustrated.
"When is something going to happen so that this stops happening? I mean, how many times are we going to release them? The same place? How many times are we just going to give us vague answers of 'Everything's all clear'? Obviously, nothing's all clear," she said.
This is the fourth time this school year that school districts have had to cancel classes because of a threat.
"Here we are Monday. And is there going to be another threat this week? Possibility? I don't know. I mean, it is definitely a nuisance for parents, for everybody," said parent Jerry Walker in Lehman Township.
Parents understand every threat needs to be taken seriously.
"It's a hit or miss. I always tell people, 'Expect the unexpected,' because whether these are fake or not, one day, it could be real," said Walker.
But they want more information from school officials as to what is being done to put an end to these threats or come up with a workaround so this isn't such a disruption.
"The resources that are being taken, you know, the local authorities, the police, everybody that's involved, bus drivers, teachers, principals, it's becoming a nuisance. And it's not fair to the students because they're losing out on education," added Walker.
Parents say the consistency of these threats is also a mental health issue, causing anxiety for their children at home and at school.
"A lot of students are starting to get scared to go to school, you know because they just don't know. I don't blame them whatsoever," said another Lake-Lehman parent.
"I have kids that are like, 'Well, I wonder if there's going to be another threat today.' They shouldn't have to wake up in the morning and be like, 'Is this what's going to happen?' No, this isn't normal. And I'd like answers from the school district. I'd like to know more," added Walker.
Wilkes-Barre Area also received a threat and said in an email that the district will continue normal operations and remain in "lock-out."
Schools in Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming Counties received threats on October 13 and again last Thursday, prompting early dismissals and police investigations.
In September, many of the same schools got threats and dismissed students. A man from Peru was arrested and charged by federal authorities for those alleged threats.
There is no word from school officials or law enforcement on the nature of the threats.
Dallas Area School District posted a statement Monday afternoon about the threats and the district's response.
Lake-Lehman School District also posted a statement.
Both districts say school will resume on October 24th.