PCHS evacuated following bomb threat

Update (3:00 p.m. | Oct. 8)

At 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 8, the threat at Paris High School was officially cleared.

The school parking lots and building are now open for students and staff to retrieve personal items.

School officials will be on site to allow students to retrieve belongings until 6 p.m. on Thursday, and Friday, Oct. 9, from 8 to 10 a.m.

Paris Cooperative High School was evacuated Thursday morning following a reported bomb threat, with all students and staff safely transported to the school’s designated alternate site.

According to a message sent to PCHS families by Principal Denise Young, the threat was reported at approximately 9:03 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.

“All students and staff are safe,” Young said in the message. “Students and employees evacuated to the school’s designated alternate site and will remain there for the immediate future.”

Emergency personnel and first responders responded to the high school following the report. Traffic in and out of the area was restricted and school officials asked the public to avoid the area.

Parents and guardians were instructed to report to the alternative site to pick up their students. Photo identification was required for the reunification process.

“No one will have access to the high school until further notice,” PCHS stated in its notification to families.

Students’ vehicles and personal belongings remained on the high school campus following the evacuation. According to information provided by the Edgar County Sheriff’s Office, the school district will notify parents when students may return to retrieve vehicles and personal belongings.

Officials have not released additional details regarding the nature of the threat or whether a device was located at the school.

PCHS officials said additional information would be communicated to families as it becomes available. Public information regarding the bomb threat will be released through official public safety and government social media channels.

The Prairie Press will provide additional information as it becomes available.