Pennsylvania State Police investigated threats at Warren County School District high schools on Tuesday.

According to Superintendent Amy Stewart, officials have determined there is no ongoing threat and all district schools will be open Wednesday.

The district has a threat assessment protocol. In the case of both reported threats on Tuesday, district personnel determined that a police response was needed. Both schools fall under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Police. “There is a range of consequences that the district can employ,” Stewart said. Those consequences are based on the district’s disciplinary code. Law enforcement consequences are completely separate from the district’s.

Law enforcement is taking the threats seriously and will continue to do so.

“Warren County has zero tolerance when it comes to making threats towards schools or their students,” District Attorney Rob Greene said.

SHEFFIELD

Tuesday morning, a student at Sheffield Area Middle High School made a verbal threat, Stewart said. Those who witnessed the threat reported it to building administration immediately.

The student who allegedly made the threat was under supervision by staff until the arrival of state police, Stewart said. “Because the verbal threat was reported immediately, and because the juvenile was able to be contained by district staff and by the Pennsylvania State Police, there was no need to place the building on ‘Hold’ or on ‘Lockdown.’ There was no immediate danger to students or staff, and there is no current threat.”

“The Pennsylvania State Police assessed the validity of the threat, conducted a criminal investigation, and the juvenile was taken into custody and charged accordingly,” Stewart said.

The district has been focusing on safety procedures and has been doing refresher trainings with students and staff. “I am very pleased to see our students doing the right thing when they hear a threat,” Stewart said. “Students are taking this seriously, and the district is responding to the report of threats in a serious manner.”

“We appreciate the quick response of the Pennsylvania State Police, and our School Resource Officers,” Stewart said. “Everyone working together helps to provide a safer environment for our students and staff.”

“Local and State law enforcement agencies perform routine safety checks of our buildings on a daily basis,” she said. “As a proactive measure, both the Pennsylvania State Police and the School Resource Officers will be on site at Sheffield Area Middle High School tomorrow morning to provide additional support.”

WARREN

There was no lockdown nor other school-wide action taken in response to the reported threat at Warren Area High School because of the timing of the incident.

“At the end of the school day… school officials were notified of a potential threat made about Warren Area High School,” Stewart said. “The information regarding the threat was immediately turned over to the Pennsylvania State Police to investigate.”

“The student alleged to have made the threat will not be permitted on school grounds until the investigation is complete,” she said. The district will determine a further course of action at that time.

She said out-of-school suspensions are utilized in a number of serious disciplinary situations.

There will be state police at Warren Area High School on Wednesday, Stewart said.

Police will also be at the school on Thursday. There is a lockdown drill set for 10:30 a.m.

BEATY

Late this evening, Tuesday, school officials were notified of a potential threat made about Beaty Warren Middle School. The information regarding the threat was immediately turned over to the Warren City Police to investigate.

The student alleged to have made the threat will not be permitted on school grounds until further notice, pending the results of the investigation. Law enforcement will be present at Beaty on Wednesday while the investigation is completed.

Due to the lateness of the report, a call blast will not be sent tonight.