Westerville North High School Postpones Black History Program After Threats

School officials say the safety of students, staff, and community members is the top priority.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Westerville North High School in Columbus, Ohio has postponed its scheduled Black History Month program after receiving multiple reports of potential violence at the event. The decision was made late Thursday afternoon, just hours before the 7 p.m. start time. School officials say they are committed to rescheduling the program to allow students to showcase their work honoring Black History Month.

Why it matters

The postponement of the Black History Month program at Westerville North High School highlights ongoing concerns about threats of violence disrupting community events, especially those focused on celebrating diversity and inclusion. School safety remains a top priority for administrators.

The details

According to a letter from Principal Kurt Yancey, the threat "came into more than one student in different formats." The school made the decision to postpone the program late Thursday afternoon, just hours before the scheduled 7 p.m. start time. Tickets for the original program will be refunded or honored for the rescheduled date, which the school is working to announce as soon as possible.

  • The program was originally scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 7 p.m.

The players

Kurt Yancey

Principal of Westerville North High School.

Westerville City Schools

The school district that oversees Westerville North High School.

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What they’re saying

“We want to acknowledge the tremendous dedication our students have shown in preparing for this performance. Their hard work, talent, and commitment to honoring Black History Month deserve to be celebrated, and we are committed to doing everything we can to give them the opportunity to share their work with you.”

— Kurt Yancey, Principal (10tv.com)

What’s next

School officials are working to announce a new date for the rescheduled Black History Month program as soon as possible.

The takeaway

The postponement of the Black History Month program at Westerville North High School due to reported threats underscores the ongoing challenges schools face in creating safe and inclusive environments for students, staff, and the broader community.