Michigan Teacher Arrested, Accused of Leaving Inappropriate Notes

A middle school teacher in Michigan has been arrested after being accused of leaving multiple handwritten, problematic notes in faculty work areas, according to local media. The teacher at Jefferson Middle School in St. Clair Shores, Mich., was placed on administrative leave and arrested on Friday, Dec. 17.

Lakeview Public Schools Superintendent Karl Paulson said in a letter to families that the suspect was discovered through the school’s video security system. “One of the notes appeared to be an attempt at making a false threat in the hope of closing school,” wrote Paulson. “Based on the facts, information and timeline, the team was confident everyone was safe, and there was no need for initiating any lockdown or other safety protocols.”

Authorities have not released the name of the employee in question. Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido referred to the suspect as a “she” and confirmed that she was a teacher at the school.

The arrest comes in the wake of the Oxford High School shooting less than 40 miles away, as well as a recent TikTok challenge encouraging students to call in shooting or bomb threats to their schools. Local police are still investigating, and local prosecutors confirm they have uncovered enough evidence to charge the suspect.

“Of course, she’s innocent until proven guilty, and all of this will come out in court. But this doesn’t help with everything that’s been going on recently,” said Lucido. “If you’ve got teachers making threats, how safe do you think the parents are going to think that school is?”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

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