Kansas Highway Patrol officers, along with bomb-sniffing dogs, searched Winfield High School, Winfield Middle School, and all outbuildings today following a bomb threat that was intercepted by a parent, USD No. 465 announced.
No sign of any bomb was found in any building on the WHS/WMS campus. When not in use, school facilities will remain locked or guarded throughout the remainder of the school year.
Middle and high school students were evacuated to Stewart Fieldhouse on the Southwestern College campus this morning, following the established plan for building evacuation. That evacuation was orderly and calm, and parents or guardians picked up all students by 11:15 a.m.
School will continue as scheduled. Students are expected to attend and complete their work and final exams.
Security measures will remain in place as they were implemented this week. Schools will operate in a lock down, with only one door open in each building and students remaining in class during class time.
Middle school students may continue to carry backpacks, but the ban on backpacks will remain in place at the high school.
Police continue to investigate today’s message, along with others found last week in boys’ bathrooms at Winfield High School and Winfield Middle School. Two of the three students identified have been arrested for those threats.
Police will seek prosecution for felony charges. The county attorney will decide what charges will be filed based on information reported by the police department.
In addition to criminal charges, students found guilty of making threats can be expelled for up to 180 school days.