Mid-County residents faced rumors of terrorist threats against the schools and students of Nederland, Port Neches and Groves Friday on the 14^th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Officials with the Nederland and Port Neches-Groves Independent School Districts issued statements early Friday morning to assure parents their students would be safe and any threats — insinuated and circulated on social media — were being monitored.

“These rumors appear every year around the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,” an NISD statement from Michael Laird, assistant superintendent for personnel and auxiliary services, reads. “They are also being posted in other areas of the state and region.”

Rodney Cavness, PN-GISD Superintendent, issued a statement Friday alerting parents to the “promotion for suggested violence in local schools” making the rounds online.

“In today’s society, all social media threats are taken seriously,” Cavness’ statement reads. “We at PN-GISD want to reassure parents that safety is of utmost importance.

“Please be assured that on a daily basis, PN-GISD takes precautionary measures to deal effectively with emergency situations that could occur in or around our schools. In addition, we work in partnership with the Port Neches and Groves police and fire departments to ensure our campuses are as safe as possible.”

Laird’s statement followed a similar vein while reassuring parents no threat was made directly toward Mid-County.

“There is no credibility to these rumors nor are there any specific threats to Nederland schools,” Laird’s statement reads. “The district and the Nederland Police Department will continue to monitor these postings as a precaution and will provide further information if it becomes available.”

Both districts encouraged parents to call the district administration offices with any additional questions.