By John Skipper and Kristin Buehner, Mason City Globe Gazette

MASON CITY — Classes at Mason City High School and the Alternative School were delayed this morning after a custodian discovered a suspicious-looking package in front of John Adams Middle School, according to Superintendent Anita Micich.

Mason City police and the Fire Department were called to investigate. The package turned out to be harmless and classes were in session by 9:45 a.m., Micich said.

“Every morning, custodians at all our schools make the rounds before school starts as part of the normal protocol,” she said.

“This morning, a custodian saw something out of the ordinary in front of John Adams, something that shouldn’t have been there, and police were called in.”

Micich said she was notified at 6:45 a.m.

Mason City Police Sgt. David Hauser said an investigation is ongoing concerning the incident.

“It turned out not to be anything,” he said. “As of right now, there was no crime committed.”

Because of renovation work at the high school, many high school classes are being held at John Adams.