At West Carroll High School
shirleyNANNEY
Editor
On Friday just past 1:30 p.m. West Carroll Junior/Senior High School staff discovered a possible bomb threat from a student at the school that turned out to be false.
The threat came to light after a student mentioned a threat multiple times that was reported to the administration.
Then the staff followed their crisis training.
“Authorities were called immediately, “said Director of Schools Preston Caldwell. “Every person in the building was evacuated.”
When the students were evacuated they walked across the street to nearby grain bins where they would be out of danger. From there, buses came and picked them up and carried them to the churches in downtown Atwood.
Caldwell had words of praise for Carroll County Bus Transportation Supervisor Becky Haley and her quick action to the situation.
“I got the buses rolling to the school immediately,” she said.
After the students were safely taken to the churches, school was dismissed for the remainder of the day which was close to the end of the school day.
Law enforcement shut down the roadway for approximately two hours and didn’t allow traffic from coming through near the high school.
The THP did a search of the school with a bomb and explosive search dog and found nothing, according to Chief Deputy Joel Pate with the Carroll Sheriff’s Department.
By mid afternoon, law enforcement had completely searched the premises and determined the school was safe.
Caldwell said buses with students were allowed to leave first, then car riders were next.
On Saturday the school was opened from 8 a.m. until noon in order for students to get belongings.
Caldwell said there are several people who deserve a lot of thanks for their assistance in this situation.
“It includes the emergency personnel, community members, faculty and staff for insuring the safety of our students,” he said. “The safety of our students, faculty and staff will always be the highest priority at West Carroll Special School District.”
