Midland Public Schools received no threats of violence since Oxford shooting
Midland Public Schools superintendent Michael Sharrow announced in an e-mail message on Thursday that the district did not receive any reports of violent threats since the Oxford High School shooting on Tuesday.
“Sadly, while the Oxford community continues to deal with the tragedy in their schools earlier this week, other schools and communities are facing threats of violence,” Mr. Sharrow said. “While seemingly focused on Southeastern Michigan, we know threats can be unsettling for us all.’
The Associated Press reports that 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley has been charged with murder and terrorism for the Oxford shooting. Four students were killed in the shooting, with others injured.
Since then, school districts in the surrounding area have opted to cancel classes for Thursday in response to threats of violence.
Midland Public Schools has not indicated any class cancellations at this time. Mr. Sharrow said that M.P.S. will work with school resource officers to investigate any reports that come in, and that all threats will be taken seriously.
“We are asking for all Midland PS families to have frank conversations with their children about the seriousness of making threats of violence or making false threats,” Mr. Sharrow said. “School leaders and law enforcement will investigate every threat and take whatever action is warranted to protect our school community.”
The email was sent as a follow-up to a previous email from Tuesday, the day the shooting took place. Both emails mentioned OK2Say as a way to report on any threats seen via text message or social media, overheard in hallways, or anywhere else. M.P.S. also encourages use of mental health resources made available by the Michigan Department of Education.
Michael Piwowarski covers education, including higher ed and Midland Public Schools, for the City Paper.