ITHACA, N.Y.—New Roots Charter School’s Tuesday schedule was largely unaffected after a message with a threat was found by a teacher after school on Monday.
According to the school’s leadership, the note was reported after classes Monday. Neither the message’s content nor the method used to convey threat were disclosed, other than the fact that it was found on a window.
“A teacher discovered a concerning message on a classroom window referencing violence,” said New Roots Principal Tina Nilsen-Hodges. “Considering any reference to violence is a serious cause for concern, we contacted the Ithaca Police Department immediately to file a report, seek their expertise, and create a safety plan to ensure our campus is safe.”
Nilsen-Hodges said the police’s subsequent investigation “revealed no evidence of an imminent threat, and evidence confirming the source of the message has been identified.”
Nilsen-Hodges said students and families were notified and that the school had continued in normal session on Tuesday, though students who wanted to take classes remotely for the day were allowed to do so. A police car was stationed out front of the school as the day began, but Nilsen-Hodges said that was just out of precaution.
Ithaca Police Department Acting Chief Ted Schwartz said IPD’s investigation is ongoing but has showed no “active credible threat.”
Update: This story was updated with comments from Acting Chief Ted Schwartz.