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Parent's 'security audit' leads to closing of Middleburgh schools

Jun 05, 2022 12:45 am

Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup that the Middleburgh School District in Schoharie County on June 3 closed its doors after a parent took it upon themselves to assess the school’s security measures. Superintendent of Schools Brian Dunn said a community member was discovered looking into elementary classroom windows and making “inappropriate” social media posts. Dunn said that while there was no credible threat, he chose to close down out of an abundance of caution. The Schoharie County Sheriff's Office received a report of a suspicious incident involving a parent “auditing school security measures.” The parent, who has not been publicly identified, was interviewed by deputies and “determined to be a proactive concerned parent.” However, a subsequent social media post made by that same parent was interpreted by some as a threat. “The Sheriff’s Office examined the post and reinterviewed the parent and has determined that no threat was made, nor any criminal offenses committed,” the Sheriff’s Office said. Dunn said, “The district has a comprehensive safety plan. Staff are trained on how to respond to emergency events and practice drills throughout the school year.” School is expected to be back in session on June 6. Read more at porcupinesoup [dot] com.