Investigation of bomb threat continues

From the look of his brow, Clay Community Schools Supt. Dan Schroeder is tiring of talking about other things other than education.

On Thursday, Schroeder told The Brazil Times it's disappointing threats like the one that took place at North Clay Middle School Wednesday keep happening.

"It is disruptive," Schroeder said. "We treat every threat seriously at this point.

"We feel we are on par with other area corporations. Some schools, when they receive passive threats, they don't respond. We are taking the safe route here."

According to a press release provided by the Clay County Sheriff's Dept., the department received a phone call from North Clay officials of a reported bomb threat written in a boys' bathroom stall.

Officials from CCSD arrived at the school soon after and located the stall where the message was written. The message stated a bomb would go off at 3 p.m.

All North Clay students were evacuated from the building and after an extensive search, no explosive materials were found.

However, all after-school activities were suspended Wednesday evening following the threat.

At the school's request, an officer was on-hand Thursday morning while Principal Jeff Allen spoke with students in each grade level.

"We are speaking with each individual at each grade level and stressing the seriousness of this thing," Allen said. "We asked (law enforcement) to be here today for meetings with the grade levels."

"We've talked about it and felt it was a good idea to talk to the students," Schroeder added.

On Thursday, CCSD Sheriff Mike Heaton told The Brazil Times during last year's bomb threat at North Clay, Clay County Prosecutor Lee Reberger took a similar approach, speaking to all students.

"Each time you get a threat, you've got to act on it," Heaton said. "It's something that just about every school corporation deals with, but you've got to act accordingly."

Heaton said the investigation is ongoing.

"Anything like this is difficult," Heaton said. "But we're going through the course of our investigation. We're trying to get it done as quick as possible."

However, he exercised caution because so many students have access to the restrooms.

"That makes it more difficult," Heaton said.

Schroeder echoed Heaton's sentiments.

"It's very difficult when something is scrawled on the bathroom wall," Schroeder said. "We're glad (law enforcement) is there helping us."

Schroeder said he hopes students come forward with more information regarding the threat.

"We will try to catch the individual," he said, adding the maximum penalty for the situation is expulsion and that law enforcement will get involved regarding possible charges.