News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Two students apprehended by law enforcement in White County Tuesday morning after a bomb threat forced the county’s middle school to close for the day.
Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said law enforcement is conducting a thorough sweep of White County Middle School. Dronebarger said they do not believe there is a credible threat but they are still taking it seriously.
“That’ll under investigation by the White County Sheriff’s Department,” Dronebarger said. “Homeland Security’s involved, THP. We appreciate everybody’s support, even help from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and city of Cookeville. We appreciate everybody’s participation in investigating this. They’ll handle that side of things.”
Dronebarger said the evacuation process went smoothly with students and staff working together to exit the building as safely as possible. He said they expect the middle school to resume classes Wednesday without issue.
“We take our student safety, you know, school safety very seriously,” Dronebarger said. “And we appreciate that everyone in the community does. We appreciate their support and patience and understanding in these situations.”
Dronebarger said parents should talk to their children about the incident and discuss why it is so harmful and dangerous.
“This is a serious offence and it will be handled seriously,” Dronebarger said. “And this is not something we take lightly and not something that we’re going to just sweep under the rug.”
Dronebarger said the high school was also on a soft lockdown earlier in the day due to its proximity to the middle school but it was able to resume the regular schedule once it was clear the threat was contained to the middle school.
