Loyalsock Township School District allowed middle school and high school students to leave early Tuesday after the middle school received a threatening phone call directed at an employee, according to the state Police, who confirmed assisting at the scene of a lockdown, and social media posts shared by a school board member.

State police declined to elaborate further.

This morning, the middle school received a threatening phone call toward a middle school employee,” Superintendent Jerry McLaughlin said in the social media post. “The secondary campus immediately followed protocol and went to lock down. Pennsylvania State Police are on campus, and they will remain on campus until further notice. We have moved to shelter in place.”

The district permitted parents to pick up their secondary students beginning at 1 p.m., noting school buses would operate on their usual schedules. Extracurricular activities were cancelled for the day.

“Thank you for your patience and cooperation in this matter,” the statement on social media said.

“This is an ongoing investigation. We will have school tomorrow and the Pennsylvania State Police are heading the investigation,” district Superintendent Gerald McLaughlin told the Sun-Gazette in an email.

A previously scheduled school board meeting will be held as planned Wednesday evening, Business Manager Dan Egly confirmed to the Sun-Gazette.