Threat Made To Berea City School

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH — A threat was made toward Middleburg Heights Junior High School last night, the Berea City School District said Friday morning. The threat was made on social media, where it apparently was noticed by the district.

In a message to residents, Berea City Schools Superintendent Mike Sheppard said the district took the threat "extremely seriously." Middleburg Heights police were called to the scene, as were Brook Park police. He said police have determined, at this point, there is no direct threat to the school.

Officers addressed both students and families involved in the situation. Sheppard said that due to privacy rights and a continuing investigation, there is little he can say about the incident.

"However, I want to reassure the entire Berea City School District community that the safety of our students, faculty, parents, and staff remains our top priority," he said in his statement.

Officers will remain on school property Friday, Sheppard added. The district will be taking extra precautions to protect students and faculty at the school.

Several parents took to Facebook to thank the district for relaying information on the threat quickly and thoroughly. Others said they would be keeping their children home as an extra precaution, despite there being no direct threat to Middleburg Heights Junior High School.

Still others called for expulsion of whoever made the threat, if indeed the suspect is a student.

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