Authorities in Jefferson County are investigating threats made against children of county school board members, the sheriff’s office confirmed Thursday morning.

“A report was taken and it’s under investigation,” said Jacki Kelley, an office spokeswoman.

Kelley declined to release the details of the threats or the investigation, calling it an open case.

“There is never a time when it is OK to victimize children or to involve them in a conflict between union and board,” said Ken Witt, board president. “It is completely inappropriate.”

Witt called the threats unacceptable and said they will not be allowed to continue.

“I think it is reprehensible that any school board members’ child would be threatened,” said board member Lesley Dahlkemper. “It’s fair game to go after an elected official, but you never threaten a child, ever.”

Dahlkemper said she “can’t even imagine” what that would be like, adding that no threats have been made against her children.

County high school students protested Thursday for the fourth day straight as tensions between the school board and community continue to mount.

Controversy in the district is circling around a proposed curriculum review committee and an evaluation-based system for awarding raises to educators.

Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul