The Manitowoc Public School District and Manitowoc Police Department responded Friday (yesterday) afternoon to a report that a student at Wilson Intermediate School might be in possession of a weapon on school grounds. Superintendent Lee Thennes said he first heard about it from a School Resource Officer (SRO).
” As soon as that occurred, we have a safety person in the district who responds to this immediately. I heard from her and received word in this office (MPSD) that something was going on over there (Wilson School) and that I better get over there as soon as possible.”
Thennes says school administrators immediately contacted law enforcement and activated the district’s safety protocols. He tells seehafernews.com—
” In strict adherence to our district safety protocols, the building was placed into a hold and quickly transitioned into a lockdown while officers and administrators conducted a thorough room-by-room search.” H continues, “It was confirmed following the search that there was no weapon on campus and no credible threat to students and staff.”
Students were then taken to the gymnasium, where law enforcement conducted a secondary search and a thorough sweep of the school to ensure there was no credible threat.
Parents reported being frustrated that they could not communicate with their child (children) to make sure they were all right.
The MPSD Superintendent added that, as a parent himself, he truly understands what they must have been feeling at the time, but—
” What we can’t have in those situations are people showing up to the school putting themselves in danger or being in the way of law enforcement” he said, adding,
“Our staff is very well trained in this, and they know exactly what to do in these situations to keep kids calm.”
Once an all-clear was given, students were dismissed through normal protocols in a timely manner.
The exact number of students involved was not released, other than Thennes saying that there were more than one.
No one was injured, and the head of the Manitowoc Public School District added that he’s grateful that the outcome turned out the way it did, adding that all threats to students and school staff must be treated as credible and that their safety is the top priority.
The investigation is ongoing, and counselors will be made available at school on Monday morning for students and staff.
