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Parent says students who reported a threatening note were dismissed; board says investigation ongoing
Summary
A parent told the Northwest Local Board of Education that students who reported a threatening note were denied access to administrators and later reprimanded; the board read a statement saying it is investigating the middle‑school incident and coordinating with Canal Fulton police.
Courtney Miller, speaking as a parent and alumna, told the board that her child was among students who found a written threat at the middle school and that school staff initially dismissed the report.
"When these children tried to turn in this note, they were denied access to the principal, vice principal, and guidance counselor," Miller said, adding that the students were sent back to class and later reprimanded for taking too long. She told the board she received a ParentSquare post at 3:56 p.m. but did not receive the accompanying email until 6:43 p.m., and that a superintendent call later that evening left her feeling dismissed: "You may keep your child home, but I think it would be a good day," she recalled being told.
The Board of Education read a prepared statement reiterating that student safety is its highest priority and that the district is "moving forward with a thorough investigation of all of our staff, administration, and the Canal Fulton police" related to last week's middle‑school incident. The board also reminded families about the district's anonymous "Say something" reporting tool and said it will report back to the community.
Board members asked procedural questions during the meeting about how threats are documented and handled. A board member confirmed the district has a safety policy in place but did not offer additional details on investigative steps or a timeline for release of findings.
The meeting record shows the board accepted public comments and thanked Miller and other speakers for coming. The board did not take formal disciplinary action or make a public determination at the meeting; it stated the probe is ongoing and that further information will be shared when available.
