There will be increased police presence Friday, said Elizabeth Beadle, spokeswoman for Middletown City Schools, but police and district officials say the threat left in a school bathroom does not appear credible.
Regardless, middle school students are being asked not to bring backpacks to school Friday and if they do, they will have them searched before entering the school.
Parents were sent electronic notices Thursday about the threat, and school families also received an automated phone message regarding the threat, according to Beadle.
According to the notice sent out to school families: “On Thursday morning, staff at Middletown Middle School were alerted by two female students of a threat of violence against the Middle School for tomorrow afternoon (Friday, November 10) that was carved into a girl’s bathroom stall.”
“At Middletown City Schools, we take all threats seriously and immediately contacted local law enforcement. Our School Resource Officer (SRO), staff, and local law enforcement have been reviewing videotapes and interviewing students and staff to figure out if the threat is credible. Currently, there is no evidence suggesting the threat is credible. We notified the other Middletown Schools and they reported no threats.”
“Following the advice from local law enforcement, we will continue to operate tomorrow with an increased police presence. We encourage students to leave their backpacks at home. If a student brings a backpack, it will be searched. We understand if you want to keep your student home tomorrow, so his/her absence will be excused. We asked the students to tell an adult if they saw something or know something, please call the Middletown Police Dispatch at 513-425-7704.”
The statement ends with: “Once again, our students’ safety and well-being are our utmost priority. Middletown City School District has policies and procedures in place that puts the highest priority on the health and safety of our students and staff.”
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