Bomb threat forces Middle School evacuation

WORLAND – A written bomb threat forced the Worland Middle School to evacuate on Tuesday, sending students to a temporary shelter for most of the day.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Worland Middle School parents received the following text message and email from Washakie County School District No. 1:

“Late this morning, School employees discovered a generic bomb threat written on a stall in a restroom. After consulting with Law Enforcement Officials we determined to follow standard protocol for this type of incident. At this time Middle School students have been evacuated to the National Guard Armory where they will be cared for the rest of the day. Buses will run at the normal time, however, at the end of the school day the Bus Hub will be moved to the front of the bus barn on Washakie Avenue. Middle school parents may choose to pick up their Middle School student at any time this afternoon, or you may pick them up at the normal time. If you choose to pick up your student early, please be prepared to show a picture ID. The pick-up location will be at the Armory. All students will be released at the regular time this afternoon. Law Enforcement officials will be sweeping the building, and are bringing in bomb dogs to further check the facility. There will not be any entry allowed into the Middle School until it has been cleared.”

At approximately 4:45 p.m., parents received the following message, relating an all-clear from the school:

“We were just notified by Law Enforcement officials that the Middle School is clear. The bomb sniffing dog has completed his work. We appreciate the wonderful cooperation which was provided by everyone. The building will be open tomorrow morning at 7:00 for students to regroup in preparation for the tomorrow’s educational opportunities. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.”

A press release from Washakie County School District No. 1 was released at 5:30 p.m., detailing the day’s events.

“This morning at 11:37 a.m. School employees discovered a generic bomb threat written on a stall in a restroom.

After consulting with Law Enforcement Officials we deemed it prudent to follow standard protocol for this type of incident.

Middle School students were evacuated to the National Guard Armory at approximately 1:00 p.m., where they were cared for the rest of the day. Parents and Guardians were notified of the incident via the District’s messaging system at approximately 1:30 p.m.

We encourage parents and guardians to keep contact information updated so that in the event of an emergency, they will receive the appropriate information. The information can be updated on the Parent Portal. Middle School parents were allowed the option of picking up their student at any time during the afternoon. All hands were on deck as the Middle School staff implemented their re-unification plan flawlessly. We are so appreciative of the wonderful cooperation we had from parents and the staff at the National Guard Armory.

Buses ran at the normal time, however, the bus hub was moved to the front of the bus barn on Washakie Avenue. All students who were not picked up by their parents were released at the regular time.

Local Law Enforcement officers performed a sweep of the building prior to the bomb sniffing dog’s arrival. The dog and his handler, brought in from Lander, completed the check of the building at 4:00 p.m. The building was then cleared for re-entry.”

Earlier this year, a similar bomb threat at the Worland High School resulted in an immediate evacuation of the area, several local and state agencies on-scene response, and during a six-hour investigation, a final confession from a local student.