Possible School Threat Deemed 'Non-Issue'

School officials weren't laughing after an Orchard Hill Intermediate School student reportedly made an inappropriate comment that was intended as a joke. 

On May 29, Orchard Hill principal Renee Manse called North Canton police after she was informed that students had reportedly overheard a peer say he was going to "bring a weapon to school on May 30 to harm a teacher and possibly other students," according to a North Canton police report. 

On June 4, Superintendent Michael Hartenstein dismissed the possible threat, saying there wasn't cause for alarm and that student safety was never at risk. 

Hartenstein said the student made a baseless threat "in jest," but opted not to elaborate further on the incident, calling it a "non-issue." 

North Canton police questioned the student the day of the incident, and found no cause for the department to pursue the matter.

Police left it to school officials who made the final determination that no threat existed. 

It wasn't clear what disciplinary action, if any, has been taken against the student in question.