Portage HS was placed on alert following unfounded threats against employees

According to police and a spokeswoman for Portage Township Schools, Portage High School was placed on a “secure security protocol” for about 40 minutes Wednesday morning after unfounded threats were made against a staff member.

According to Melissa Deavers, communications director for the school corporation, the safety protocol began around 10:35 a.m. and ended at 11:15 a.m.

In an initial statement to school families, school officials said that as part of safe security protocol, “we are continuing to operate as normal within the school with no one entering or leaving the building.” This is because our staff have received threatening calls that are currently are unfounded. The Portage Police Department is currently working with us on the investigation.”

The security protocol was lifted, according to a follow-up message, after “the Portage Police Department … completed its investigation and determined that the threats made were unfounded.”

Portage police said in a statement that the security protocol was “based on the belief that an employee was receiving unfounded threats over the phone.”

Police patrols at the high school and all Portage schools were increased following the threats and police are investigating.