LAKEFIELD -- Jackson County Central Middle School was evacuated just after 1 p.m. Tuesday after administrators were informed of a bomb threat via a computer.
After law enforcement conducted a sweep search of the building and found no incendiary devices, students and staff were allowed back in the building -- about six minutes before the end of the school day, at 2:56 p.m.
"School will be in session at its regular time tomorrow, and we will have law enforcement present," Superintendent Gery Arndt told parents in a note sent home from school.
The threat was discovered at about 1 p.m. Students were evacuated to Immanuel Lutheran School, and a few staff members were evacuated to the Lakefield City Library, which closed to better accommodate them.
"It went according to the crisis plan," Arndt said.
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Jackson police, Lakefield police and the Minnesota State Highway Patrol responded to the emergency. While staff from the City of Lakefield secured the outside of the building, authorities searched the inside for anything out of the ordinary, but nothing suspicious was found.
A nervous crowd huddled in front of the First National Bank building down the street wondering what was happening, and a few people in cars rolled their windows down to ask the city employees what was going on. They were told the building had been evacuated but were given no specifics, as police and Arndt came in and out of the front doors.
Just after students got back into the building, four buses arrived to take them home. Parents showed up, too, some asking why the five marked law enforcement cars and one unmarked car were parked where the buses usually were.
"At no time were students in danger," Arndt said. "Of course, it's hard to say."
Previously, the Jackson County Central High School experienced a bomb threat in April 2001, as well as a much earlier one in the late 1980s. Both times, no bomb was found.
While school will resume as usual today, students will not be allowed in the hallways and a much closer eye will be kept on them. Law enforcement officers will be present at the doors.
"I do hope that we can find whoever's responsible so that people can realize the seriousness of it," Arndt said.
At this time, it is unknown who was behind the threat, but the school intends to prosecute if a suspect is found. The incident remains under investigation.
