With five bomb threats in three days, including threats at Stokes-Beard Elementary and Columbus High School this morning, school officials with the Columbus Municipal School District are asking parents to talk to their children about the severity of making false threats.
In a press release issued by the district, school officials attempted to reassure stakeholders while asking parents to talk to their children.
“Over the last few weeks the Columbus Municipal School District has experienced a number of bomb threats at various campuses,” the release read. “The District wishes to reassure its stakeholders and the public at large that we are doing everything within our power to address and respond to these threats. Local authorities have been informed and called upon to fully investigate these matters. We must take each threat seriously and respond accordingly. We are asking that the community be patient as we follow our procedures to ensure student safety. Parents across the city are encouraged to talk with their children and let them know that they are safe but that such acts will not be tolerated. The school district and its students lose valuable instructional time with each threat.”
There have been 10 bomb threats in the district since the school year started.
Two threats were made at Columbus Middle School Tuesday. Another threat was discovered on a bathroom wall at Columbus High School Wednesday. This morning, a threat was called in to Stokes Beard Elementary. A threat was made at Columbus High School around 9 a.m. today. Two students have been arrested in the past two weeks for making false threats but the rash continues.
School district officials have said they plan to hold a meeting with parents to discuss the matter, but have not set a date for the meeting yet.
Anyone with information regarding the threats is asked to contact law enforcement or submit a tip to CMSD’s Quick Tip line at asp.schoolmessenger.com/columbus/quick tip.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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