News

Oct 24, 2024

‘Possible student safety risk’ results in backpack ban at Washington Community High

WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Students at Washington Community High School are being asked by the district not to bring backpacks for the rest of the week due to a “possible student safety risk.”

WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Students at Washington Community High School are being asked by the district not to bring backpacks for the rest of the week due to a “possible student safety risk.”

According to an email from Kyle Freeman, the district’s superintendent, school officials learned of a “possible student safety risk at WCHS was brought to the attention of the administration” which was specific to Wednesday, Oct. 23.

” …so we are asking students to try to avoid bringing a backpack to school for the remainder of the week. All bags that are brought to school will be searched. If your student needs to bring a bag for athletics, we ask that they leave the bag in their car and retrieve it after school for their practice or game. If they do not have the ability to store a bag in a car, we will search the bag and provide your student with a safe location to store their bag during the day,” the email stated.

Washington Police Chief Mike McCoy said he had heard a note was scratched onto a bathroom stall which conveyed some sort of a threat. He didn’t know much more about that.

When reached by phone, Freeman confirmed the threat was scratched onto a bathroom stall. He said it was a “vague” threat and was not targeted. It was general but the district takes all threats seriously.

He said he did not expect the backpack ban to continue into next week.

This story will be updated.

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