There was increased security and police presence today at Tyrone Area Middle and High School due to what school district officials and the Tyrone police deemed to be a “non-credible” threat made to the school on social media yesterday evening.

Tyrone Area High School families and employees were made aware of the situation in an early morning recorded phone message from superintendent Leslie Estep.

“After an investigation, law enforcement officials do not believe that the threat is credible. Nonetheless, the district continues to take every precaution to keep students and staff safe. With the assistance of law enforcement, students and staff will see an increased police presence in and around the middle and high school today,” said Estep in the message to families and employees. 

According to Estep, around 7 pm on Tuesday, November 15, a community member shared a social media post that alluded to violence at the Tyrone Middle and High School for the following day. 

“Anytime we receive reports of threats of any nature, we investigate,” said Estep, “That investigation takes many forms, depending upon the threat. We use our camera system, and interviews with students and adults. In addition to notifying local law enforcement for advice and/or to conduct their own investigation. The actions that we take are guided by the information that we are able to obtain and are taken with a team approach. Consequently, each threat is handled a little differently than others due to the varied information that we have at a given time.”

Increased security was in place at the middle and high schools for precautionary measures. All backpacks and bags were searched and students passed through metal detectors before school. Tyrone Police and Pennsylvania State Police were both present on the school campus this morning.  

Classes were unaffected by the threat and the school day went on as normal.

Estep was appreciative of students and staff in response to the situation. 

“I would like to thank the students for their cooperation this morning as we conducted the bag searches.  It seemed as though everyone understood that this was an extra safety precaution that we chose to implement and everyone was pleasant and accommodating,” said Estep.