By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Hays Middle school was placed on a short lockdown Tuesday afternoon after a report of a bomb threat.
"About 2:40 p.m., Ellis County law enforcement received notification from the KBI that a possible explosive device was at a location of 201 W. 29th, at a school," Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said. "This is the only school in the state with that address. So, we came up here and made contact with the school, and we were able to safely evacuate all of the children."
Scheibler said local law enforcement will work with Hays USD 489 and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to investigate the incident. The district reported that all students and staff had safely left the building as of 4:15 p.m.
"The school had a plan in place, and their plan worked," he said. "We were happy to assist. The Ellis County Sheriff's Department, the Hays Police Department, the KBI and the Kansas Highway Patrol will continue to investigate the matter," he said.
Check Hays Post for more as details become available.
HPD
At 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Hays Middle School was notified by the Hays Police Department of a emergency situation that required HMS to activate its room hold. Staff and students were asked to clear hallways and stay in classrooms while law enforcement checked hallways.
At 3:05 p.m. under the direction of the HPD, students were dismissed class by class to exit the building Students were not allowed to stop at their lockers, therefore they may not have their phones or items from their lockers.
Bus students will ride the bus as normal. All athletic practices are canceled for today, as well as after-school homework help.
Parents are asked to pick up your student as soon as possible at the front door of the building.
— HMS