Van Buren middle school evacuated

STOCKPORT ? An investigation into vandalism and a threat discovered this morning at Van Buren Community School District?s middle school is ongoing.

According to school personnel, shattered glass and a written threat on a school door were found at 6:30 a.m. today.

Following the school?s emergency plan, the school was evacuated to the Stockport Christian Church, and the Van Buren County Sheriff?s Office was called.

Law enforcement officers and school officials, including superintendent Karen Stinson and middle school principal Chuck Banks, determined there was no one in the building and that it had been secure at all times. The district?s security cameras had been operational.

After determining there was no real threat, the sheriff gave the all-clear signal at 8:25 a.m., and students returned to the middle school.

According to the Van Buren County Sheriff?s Office, two students are allegedly responsible for throwing a rock at one door and writing a threat on another. Personnel are exploring how to proceed.

For this article, see the Friday, May 21, 2010, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.