FROM STAFF REPORTS

Dozens of Indiana school districts received emails the evening of April 13 outlining a bomb threat in each district.

Northwest Allen County Schools was among that number. NACS responded by closing schools on April 14 and substituting eLearning. Administrative teams searched “schools, transportation facility, buses, and outdoor facilities,” NACS said in an afternoon letter to families and staff. All school properties were deemed safe to occupy, and the district announced that after-school and weekend activities would continue as scheduled.

NACS Superintendent Wayne Barker said he contacted Brandon Bitting, assistant superintendent of safety and operations, who in turn coordinated with other superintendents and law enforcement.

“While we were skeptical of an actual threat from the beginning, based on our discussions with law enforcement and other school leaders, the decision was made to close our schools and move to eLearning because nothing matters as much as the safety of our students, staff, and community,” Barker said in his letter to families and staff.

The Indiana State Police said the threat was emailed to several dozen Indiana schools. As of midday April 14, no suspicious or explosive devices had been found at any school. “The investigation into the origin of this threat is ongoing,” the ISP said in a statement.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said, “The safety of our children will always be a top priority, the Indiana State Police will continue to offer any and all resources we have to schools to ensure safety for our students.”

Barker’s letter said the threat was communicated to him and approximately 35 other superintendents across Indiana. “Please know I am sorry for how this threat has impacted and inconvenienced each of you in its own way,” Barker wrote. “Events like these remind us how fortunate we are to have an excellent relationship with the Allen County Sheriff’s Department. Moreover, I would like to thank all the NACS staff members who conducted searches of our facilities this morning so we can resume serving our students.”