Portage High School was put on “secure safety protocol” for about 40 minutes Wednesday morning after unsubstantiated threats were made to a staff member, according to police and a Portage Township Schools spokeswoman.
The safety protocol began around 10:35 a.m. and ended at 11: 15 a.m., according to Melissa Deavers, communications director for the school corporation.
In an initial statement to school families, school officials said that under the secure safety protocol, “we are conducting business as usual within the school with no one entering or leaving the building. This is following our staff receiving threatening phone calls that are currently unsubstantiated. The Portage Police Department is currently working with us to investigate.”
The safety protocol was lifted, according to a follow-up message, after “the Portage Police Department … concluded their investigation and determined that the threats made were unsubstantiated.”
Portage Police said in a statement that the safety protocol was “based upon a staff member receiving unsubstantiated threats via telephone.”
Police patrols at the high school, and all of the Portage schools, were increased after the threats, and police are investigating.