School district: No evidence supporting rumors of notebook containing ‘hate list’

Children from Centerville City School District's Watts Middle School in Washington Twp. load onto buses after school Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

Children from Centerville City School District's Watts Middle School in Washington Twp. load onto buses after school Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

An investigation into a possible threat at a Centerville City School District school turned out to be no threat at all, but law enforcement is on scene today “out of an abundance of caution.”

Watts Middle School Principal Brian Miller sent a message to families at 9:49 p.m. Tuesday telling them that he and the school’s counselors and school resource officer had spent most of the day and evening investigating rumors about a notebook containing a “hate list.”

“This has created rumors of additional threats,” Miller told parents in the message. “After a thorough investigation by our administrators and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, we have not found any evidence that these rumors are true. None of the students or families we’ve talked to have seen a notebook or a list.”

Miller said that “out of an abundance of caution,” additional deputies and school personnel will be present today at the school at 7056 McEwen Road in Washington Twp.

“Keeping our students and staff safe is a priority, and we appreciate the students who have cooperated with our investigation,” he said.

Miller and counselors have continued to check in with students today, but there are no changes to the message that he sent Tuesday night, a district spokeswoman told this news outlet.

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