TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – UPDATE: Several local school districts in the Big Bend area received a bomb threat Wednesday morning.
According to Leon, Taylor, Wakulla, Lafayette, Gadsden and Madison County school districts, the threat was made through an email.
WCTV reached out to Suwannee County School District and was told they could not confirm that the district received an email but said “local law enforcement is looking into it.”
According to Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, Lafayette Schools shared that the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Safe Schools is aware of the bomb threat and says there is no immediate threat.
WCTV obtained an email sent to schools in the Big Bend area from the FL DOE, advising schools to follow safety and security protocols with local law enforcement.
FL DOE’s email reads: “We wanted to make you aware that there are emails being sent throughout the state to school districts indicating that there are bombs placed in your schools. Please follow your established safety and security protocols and work with your local law enforcement, school safety officers, and district staff to ensure your students and faculty are safe. The Department stands ready to help your team. Please contact the Office of Safe Schools at 850-245-5171 for any assistance you may need.”
Franklin County Schools made parents aware on their school districts’ website that it was concluded that there was no real threat to their schools, students and staff.
“We have no reason to believe that this threat was made by a local source and are assured that this perceived threat is only a HOAX, meant to cause disruption in our schools,” Franklin County Schools posted.
The District School Board of Madison County made a post on social media Wednesday morning, stating the email was sent “throughout the state to school districts, indicating bombs are placed in schools.” As a result, students were evacuated until the Madison County Sheriff’s Office determined the buildings are safe.
Since then, Madison County High School, Madison County Central School and Pinetta Elementary School have all been cleared and students returned to classes.
Gadsden County School District says their students were returned to classes as well.
According to an alert received by a Madison County parent around 11:33 a.m., Lee Elementary School has also been cleared and students returned to classes.
Leon County Schools’ Chris Petley initially told WCTV LCS is working with the sheriff’s office to coordinate a response following the threat. Around 12:46 p.m., the school district posted on social media that they will continue to monitor.
Taylor County School District announced a reunification process. Students were transported to First Baptist Church where parents could sign out their children.
Jefferson County School District did not receive the email including the bomb threat.
WCTV has reached out to Hamilton County.
This story will be updated as we learn more.
INITIAL STORY
A bomb threat was received Wednesday morning, targeting all public schools in Taylor County, according to Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett.
Padgett says Taylor County High School students are being evacuated to the football field to remain on the safe side.
The school has announced a reunification process, students are being transported to First Baptist Church where parents can out sign out their children.
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