Innes Community Learning Center was evacuated Monday morning after staff and administrators arrived to find the inside of the school vandalized.
At least one bomb threat was written on a white board with a dry erase marker — a small arrow pointing to a cardboard box with plastic wrap around it — according to photos provided to Signal Akron.
Obscenities and crude drawings were found on white boards, desks and teaching materials, according to the photos. Desks were overturned and classroom materials and student supplies were scattered throughout the rooms. At least one plant was ripped from its pot.
The school district said Akron police and fire swept the building, including K-9 units. No bombs were discovered, according to Akron Public Schools. Additionally, the school will be closed Tuesday to allow maintenance crews to clean up and teachers to reset classrooms.
Through reviewing surveillance footage, Akron police have identified a juvenile suspect.
Students moved to Garfield CLC
Innes CLC is located in the Kenmore neighborhood in southwest Akron. The school serves roughly 600 middle school aged children and was opened in 2009.
Students were rerouted to Garfield CLC, where district officials said they’re being kept in the auditorium until they can be picked up by parents. The middle school’s students were on buses en route to Innes CLC when the vandalism was discovered and authorities became involved.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the school day for Innes students has been canceled,” Akron Public Schools said in an emailed statement. “Families have been notified and asked to pick up their students from Garfield CLC.”
Requests for additional comments from Akron Public Schools were not immediately returned. It’s unclear how many classrooms were vandalized or how the vandals gained access to the school over the weekend.
Akron Education Association President Pat Shipe said Mayor Shammas Malik was made aware of the vandalism. Malik’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Shipe also said most of Innes CLC’s staff traveled to Garfield CLC with students; others stayed behind.
