Missing computer, not a threat at West Milton school

UPDATE @ 1:29 p.m.

An attempt to locate a missing computer and an alleged threat on Tuesday combined to create some confusion today at Milton-Union Exempted Village Schools.

A school computer turned up missing and students were told to stay in their classrooms while district technicians worked to narrow down its location, according to Superintendent Brad Ritchey.

It was a matter of making sure district devices assigned to specific students were still matched to those students. If students were allowed to leave the classroom there’s a chance the device would have been turned off and stashed away in a locker, making it impossible for the district to track it down.

There was never a lock down of the school and there was never any threat at the school today, Ritchey said.

Concerned parents called the school and this newsroom after they were contacted by their children in the school, who were worried there was a threat.

Ritchey said the district is dealing with a student who made a threat on a school bus on Tuesday. That student was not at school today and West Milton police continue to investigate that incident, he said.

It’s unclear whether the computer had been located by the end of the school day.

EARLIER

Milton-Union Exempted Village Schools was put on lock down temporarily this morning after a school-issued computer was reported missing, according to West Milton Police Chief Harry Busse.

The school building, at 7640 Milton-Potsdam Road, was locked down to prevent anyone leaving the property while school officials attempted to track down the missing computer, Busse said.

The computer was not recovered and officials continue to investigate.

Contrary to rumors, the lock down was not because of a threat because no threat was ever made, Busse said.

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