CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — All classes at Cleveland Heights High School have been canceled Thursday following a lockdown at the facility after school hours the day before.
Superintendent Liz Kirby confirms a staff member reported seeing an individual wearing a ski mask inside the building around 3:40 p.m., and a district parent stated she believed that person was carrying a weapon. With this information, officials instituted a Level 2 lockdown, meaning all outside doors were locked and people could only enter and exit the building with police or staff present.
Police briefly upgraded the lockdown to Level 3, although technically Level 2 protocols were still followed for all teachers and remaining students still inside. Officers swept the building and identified the individual with the mask, but could not confirm if they were carrying a gun.
The lockdown was lifted at 5:30 p.m., however administrators decided to close the school today since "many of our staff and students are experiencing heightened anxiety and stress." Curriculum Night was also postponed.
"I want to thank the CHPD for their swift, thorough, and professional response," Kirby said in a statement. "Thank you again for your cooperation, patience, and understanding as we worked through this incident, with the safety of our students and staff always at the forefront."
The incident is still under investigation. Cleveland Heights-University Heights school officials say classes are expected to resume on Friday.