(Radio Iowa) – Cedar Rapids students returned to school Tuesday with additional safety measures in place after a weekend social media threat caused the district to cancel classes Monday. The district announced only 60 percent of students were in attendance. For the rest of the week an escalated police presence and a prohibition on backpacks remain in effect. Parent Adam Mayer says the Tuesday press conference about the issue was a start, but he says the communication with parents has been lacking.

Superintendent Tawana Grover says mental health supports are available to district families and staff. Cedar Rapids Police Captain Charlie Fields says they continue to investigate and no arrests nor citations have been made in connection with the threat.
(By Zachary Oren Smith, Iowa Public Radio)