Claim of gun on Monroe school bus ‘fabricated,’ school district says

Police and school administrators said they investigated to ‘dispel a rumor’ in the district.

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

The Monroe Local School District was closed Wednesday for a “safety concern,” according to the district administration.

In an email the district sent to Monroe parents, it said on Tuesday night the district received a safety concern from a student riding the bus. While “no credible threat has been identified,” the police department didn’t have sufficient time to complete its investigation before school started Wednesday, the email read.

Out of “an abundance of caution,” the decision was made to cancel school for all students, according to the email.

School administrators said a student was told by another student that they witnessed a student on a bus with a weapon.

After an investigation, police and school administrators found the allegations were fabricated and “there was no credible threat to Monroe staff and students or their families.”

The district said it must take “any potential concerns seriously” and urged parents to talk to their children.

“The district is asking parents to have discussions with their students about the gravity of making false threats and the consequences of doing so,” the school system said.

“We want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of speaking up if they see or hear something concerning. Monroe Local Schools is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and staff and takes every threat seriously. We encourage students to continue to report any safety concerns or suspicious activity to a trusted adult or by anonymously texting or calling the Safer Ohio School Tip Line 24/7 at 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764), the district said in a statement.

Students who make threats or false reporting of threats could face school discipline and may result in charges and prosecution, the district said.

Police cars were at school buildings in the district for several hours on Wednesday.

The district said school will resume on schedule Thursday.

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