MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- All Wednesday classes and activities at Middletown High School are canceled in light of a violent threat on the afternoon of graduation, district officials announced via Facebook.
“The threat is specific enough that we believe the safest option for our students and staff is to close the high school tomorrow,” Middletown City Schools wrote.
The post requested that anyone with information about the threat call Middletown police at 513-425-7700.
“Please know, the safety and security of our students and staff is our number one priority,” the district’s post added. “A big thank you to everyone who helps keep our schools safe. As always, if you see something, say something.”
Seniors' graduation ceremony continue uninterrupted -- albeit with a heftier police presence -- Tuesday night.
Family members of graduates said they thought the district did the right thing, but wish the seniors could have had the chance to say goodbye on Wednesday.
"They won’t get to say goodbye to their teachers, their fellow friends, walk the halls, reminisce about all the memories that they’ve shared over the past couple of years together," said Vanessa Thompson, whose niece graduated Tuesday. "I feel bad for them."
"It’s a shame," said Deborah Collier. Collier's grandson also graduated Tuesday. "It’s terrible, and I’m going to back in the day when parents were more on top of everything with their kids. Now, it’s out of control."
