Local school closed as leaders seek restraining order
AKRON, Ohio (WJW) — A private elementary and middle school in Akron canceled classes on Tuesday as school administrators sought restraining orders, due to threats allegedly made against them over the weekend.
According to recent posts on the Akron Preparatory School Facebook page, late last week, police were called to investigate after a middle school student made an allegation against one of the school’s teachers.
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“Akron Police did not find evidence to support the claim and concluded that the allegation was false,” wrote the school in Monday evening post. “Members of the reporting family appeared unsatisfied with the results and began threatening school administration, including appearing on a local podcast over the weekend to speculate and threaten administrators.”
According to an updated morning post from the school, authorities had not yet determined if the alleged threats were credible and school leaders had not received confirmation if a police presence would be available throughout the school day.
“For these reasons, we are closing school out of an abundance of caution for the safety and security of our students and staff,” the school announced early Tuesday on Facebook.
Akron police Capt. Michael Miller told FOX 8 News on Tuesday afternoon that the student’s initial claim is under investigation.
The suspects believe one of the school’s teachers hit their son, according to police reports from Monday, Feb. 19, provided to FOX 8 News. One of the suspects threatened to shoot the teacher and “put her in the back of a trunk” and a threatened a shooting at the school. Another suspect posted the teacher’s identifying information online, according to the report.
The incident led to a student being kicked off the basketball team, a school administrator told police, which led to threats against himself and other school leaders.
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School administrators said they have filed reports to request restraining orders and are now seeking legal counsel on whether to press charges.
The school was closed on Monday for President’s Day.
A statement from Akron Police Department reads: “We take all matters of public safety very seriously and will do all we can by working collaboratively with stakeholders to de-escalate the situation and resolve the matter as needed.”
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