LISD TECH Center - Update on Potential Threat
This morning, February 27, 2024, a Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD) staff member located a threat in a restroom at the LISD TECH Center.
Upon learning of the threat, the LISD administration immediately notified law enforcement. Officers with the City of Adrian Police Department responded with an explosive detection trained canine officer and conducted a thorough search and protective sweep of the LISD TECH Center buildings and campus. The search and protective sweep did not identify any device, explosive, or other harmful item.
The LISD has enacted its threat assessment procedures, which have been informed by school threat assessment experts and developed in cooperation with law enforcement.
As a result of this threat, a decision was made to close the LISD TECH Center during the morning (AM) session today, February 27, 2024. Local school district officials and TECH Center students were notified of this closure.
Based on the outcome of the search and protective sweep that occurred at the TECH Center this morning, and in accordance with the LISD’s threat assessment protocol, the TECH Center will be open for students during the afternoon (PM) session today, February 27, 2024. Local school district officials and LISD TECH Center students are being informed of this decision.
Out of an abundance of caution, the LISD TECH Center will operate under increased law enforcement presence during the afternoon session. This will include the use of a canine officer specifically trained in detecting explosive and other dangerous devices.
Law enforcement and the LISD administration are actively engaged in investigating the source of the threat. This will include an exhaustive review of video surveillance footage and other investigative techniques aimed at identifying the person or persons responsible.
The LISD and law enforcement take threats against schools very seriously. Law enforcement and LISD personnel are actively investigating who may be responsible for this threat and the fear and disruption that it has caused. The individual(s) responsible will be held accountable both criminally and through school disciplinary proceedings to the fullest extent of the law.
The LISD and local law enforcement will continue to do everything within their power to prevent and respond to threats of school violence. These threats are disruptive and unnecessarily create fear and distress among students and staff. They are also costly to investigate and prosecute the individuals responsible.
It is important that parents and students understand the seriousness of making threats against a school in Michigan. In addition to serious school disciplinary action, such as expulsion from school, under Michigan law, any person who threatens to commit an act of violence against students or school employees at school, regardless of intent or ability to carry out the threat, has committed a misdemeanor that is punishable by up one year of imprisonment. If it is determined that the threat was made with specific intent, the individual making the threat has committed a felony that is punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment.
If anyone has any information related to this threat and/or who may be responsible, please contact the Adrian Police Department at 517.264.4808 or the LISD at 517.265.2119. Email information may be sent to jperry@adrianmi.gov or Mark.Haag@lisd.us.
