By Heather McDonald

In the wake of a safety threat, Amherst schools are attempting to get back to normal this week.

“Overall, the students were very positive, and the overall swing from them and parents is we don’t want to have this type of thing occur again in our community,” District Administrator Mike Toelle said.

Only about 35 percent of the student body attended school Friday, March 16, after a threat was discovered on a bathroom stall the day before. Though it did not target a specific action, the message, “Look out for Friday 16th” and “I’m coming,” was cryptic and threatening enough for district officials to send letters home to parents and get the Portage County Sheriff’s Office involved.

“You just never know who will do something and when,” Toelle said. “The overall environment is very heightened and sensitive right now, so everyone is extra careful. I’m sure we will have some cases of students who will need assistance even beyond this week.”

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