West Bath schools closed briefly after third‑party threat; police later deem it not credible

The West Bath School Board heard on Dec. 18 that schools were closed earlier this week after a third‑party threat prompted a police investigation. Superintendent Emily said Saginaw County dispatch received information in the early morning that reported a threat to schools but did not name a specific building or describe the alleged act.

"When our local authorities pinged the number, it originated from a bathroom," Emily said, and local agencies closed school as a precaution so police could focus on the investigation rather than on protecting students at school. She said the call came through a national hotline and that the department treated it as a third‑party tip that must be assessed for credibility.

Emily told the board the district was later notified that police determined the tip to be not credible and that investigators indicated the call did not come from anyone associated with RSU 1 or West Bath Public Schools. She said the matter involves a juvenile, limiting what officials can publicly disclose. "The situation has been resolved and is continuing to be handled," she said.

Board members thanked local first responders for their response; several board members noted the disruption to families from the unexpected closure. The superintendent said that because payroll and accounts payable processes were run that day the district’s budget snapshot would shift slightly, but she characterized district spending as tracking as expected.

The board did not take any personnel action in public related to the incident; Emily said limited information is available because of the juvenile involvement and the ongoing investigation.