Ithaca City School District officials told the Sept. 30 Board of Education meeting that the district evaluates each emailed threat with law enforcement and may not alert the full community when agencies deem the threat noncredible.

Public commenter Jeff Ames said last Friday morning several area schools received emailed threats and that district staff and parents learned details through press and word of mouth rather than direct district notice. ‘‘ICSD’s failure to communicate with its staff and parents is unacceptable,’’ Ames said.

Superintendent Dr. Brown and other administrators said district protocol requires a threat assessment with law enforcement before deciding on public notices. ‘‘We take them all seriously. Every single one of them,’’ Dr. Brown told the board, adding that the district coordinates with police, the sheriff’s office and, when applicable, federal partners to investigate incidents. He said many reported threats prove noncredible after investigation.

Why it matters: Families expect timely safety communications; the district said it balances transparency with the risk of amplifying unsubstantiated claims and causing community alarm. The board and administration said they will refine communications practices and study family-survey data to assess impacts.

Details from the meeting: Ames said that on the day of the emailed threats at least one school conducted two fire drills, which led to large outside gatherings during a day when threats circulated. Some neighboring districts took more visible precautions — Dryden implemented a lockout — while ICSD administrators limited communications to staff before issuing a public statement on Sunday, according to commenters.

Board members acknowledged community frustration and said the region’s differing communications choices complicated a coordinated message. Dr. Brown said the district will continue to work with law enforcement and principals and to evaluate how and when to notify families in future incidents.

Ending: District leaders said they will review the notification process and consider family outreach and surveys; no change to the written protocol was adopted at the Sept. 30 meeting.