There is a "pending criminal investigation" into a missing tow-behind hauling trailer used by the Rome school district, says Superintendent Jeffrey P. Simons.

The district filed a report on the missing trailer with police around Oct. 24, Simons said. It is valued at about $3,000, he said.

The small "dump trailer" includes an approximately 5-by-10-foot enclosed bed area that is not covered. It is used by the district’s buildings and grounds and maintenance staffers for hauling materials. A staffer noticed it was not in its typical locations, and a search of all the district’s sites failed to find it, he added. He was not sure of its last known location.

During the Board of Education meeting Wednesday night, Ken Metz of 6445 Wager Drive in Lee told the board "there is a rumor spreading around town that a police report was recently filed concerning missing school district property. Any truth to this?"

Simons said it involved a "current criminal investigation," and would not comment further. The item is not connected with other larger rented trailers that are storing the district’s surplus furniture.

A police report on the missing trailer was not available today.