SECOND UPDATE: 12:50 pm.
Supt. Vince Clark says the lockdown was lifted at approximately 12:40 pm. Students were beginning to eat lunch shortly after that time.
“We are going to carry on with the day as close to normal as possible,” Clark told The Press.
“We have searched lockers and used a hand-held metal detecting wand to check all students,” the superintendent added.
Clark said that after clearing the buildings and discussing the situation with state and local police, who are on site, the school district determined that it was safe to lift the lockdown.
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UPDATE: 12:30pm: Schools will NOT let out early today due to the continuing investigation. The remainder of the school day will be as normal as possible for students.
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Crittenden County High and Middle schools are on lockdown as police investigate a threat scrawled on a boys' restroom wall.Marion Police Chief Ray O'Neal said officers are in the hallways and carrying out an intensive investigation. He said the threat may have been written on the bathroom stall days ago, but it was reported today and is being dealt with as if the threat were made today.
Superintendent Vince Clark said the situation is being assessed by school personnel and police, and a decision on when to lift the lockdown will be made by noon. Students cannot come to or leave campus during the lockdown.
There has been no threat at the elementary school despite some rumors to the contrary on social media, and there have been neither intruders nor guns found at any school. Reports of anything other than a threat written on a bathroom wall are erroneous.
Kentucky State Police is sending officers to support the investigation by city police and county deputies.
All student lockers are being searched by school personnel, and students are not allowed out of their classrooms. The lockdown will remain in effect until investigators are certain the school is safe to continue on a normal schedule.
FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT JUST RELEASED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT:
It is published on the school district web site.
Attention Parents and Community,
This morning a threatening note was found on a HS bathroom wall. The Middle and High Schools were placed on lock down and local law enforcement was called in to determine the credibility of the note. At this time, all lockers are being searched and an investigation is occurring to determine the details and who is responsible. Local law enforcement will be on campus and extra security measures in place to make sure our campus is safe for students and staff. More information will be shared as the investigation continues today. During lock down students will not be checked out so we can determine appropriate best next steps. This incident is isolated at the HS and only the HS and full attention is being given to ensure the safety of our campus.
