UPDATE: Madison-Plains schools closed today due to security concerns

(Update: posted at 2:42 p.m. April 16, 2018)

Madison-Plains Local Schools Superintendent Tim Detwiller sent the following update to parents and guardians at 9:14 this morning.

“As of today there are no new developments to report on the graffiti left in a girls’ restroom in the high school last week. No additional threat of any kind has been identified. The decision to close school today was based upon an expected extremely high student absenteeism rate, as well as concerns expressed by parents and staff members.

“The Madison County Sheriff intends to provide security tomorrow for our campus. We will continue to work with local law enforcement to determine the author of the graffiti and to punish them to the fullest extent of the law.

“I again ask parents of students in grades 7-12 to speak with their children to solicit any information that could aid the Sheriff in their investigation.”

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(Original story, posted 8:00 a.m. April 16, 2018)

All of Madison-Plains Local Schools are closed today, April 16, due to security concerns. All evening activities are cancelled.

Madison-Plains School officials are working with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to investigate a security threat made on Thursday, April 12, toward the district’s 7-12 facility.

Superintendent Tim Dettwiller said a student informed the high school administration late Thursday afternoon of a threat made via graffiti in a bathroom inside the building. The message said an incident would occur on April 16.

Law enforcement was immediately notified.

Dettwiller sent a message to parents and guardians Thursday evening to inform them about the threat. The district requested and has received extra support from the Sheriff’s Office. The district sent a notification late last night to parents and guardians to inform them that schools would be closed today.

“We take all threats seriously and will work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to identify the person responsible for the message and persecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Dettwiller said.

Contact the Sheriff’s Office or school officials with information:

Madison County Sheriff’s Office: (740) 852-1332

Madison-Plains Central Office: (740) 852-0290