Bomb threat forces evacuation, closure of at least 4 schools in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Another threat is impacting students in Springfield.

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A day after a bomb threat caused city hall and several other buildings, including Fulton Elementary School, to evacuate, another threat has been reported and at least three schools in the Springfield City School District are being impacted.

The email threat was sent to local media outlets, including WHIO-TV.

News Center 7 was there at Perrin Woods and Snowhill Elementary when some students were evacuated to an alternate location Friday morning where a controlled release of the students. Other students were picked up by their parents after learning of the threat.

In addition to that, Roosevelt Middle School was closed before the beginning of the school day “in relation to the information received from the (Springfield Police Division).”

Bryan Peterson went to drop his granddaughter off at Roosevelt Middle School but learned that the school was suddenly closed.

“It’s a new world we’re living in,” Peterson said. “Crazy, you know, you just deal with it.”

Cliff Park High School, which is not part of the Springfield City School District, was also named in the threat.

In a social media post, officials said that they were following law enforcement’s recommendation to evacuate the school.

“We apologize for whatever inconvenience this causes but we have to make the best decision for the safety of our students, staff and families. All students currently in the building will need picked up and signed out,” the post stated.

Clark State College also closed the Brinkman building and canceled classes and activities in it on Friday due to the “safety shutdown in downtown Springfield.”

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Perrin Woods Elementary School was featured on News Center 7 last month for their program where students learn both English and Spanish throughout the day. Principal Rebecca Warner said she hoped this would help bridge the gap with non-English speaking students and their families.

“I think that’s a really, really neat opportunity to make those parents feel more comfortable, engaging with the school and knowing that we’re ready to invest in what their children bring to the table,” Warner said.

It came as the district has worked to adapt to its growing population of non-English speaking students. But with school closed, no one is in class.

“You just deal with the day as it comes,” Peterson said. “Yeah and try to be safe and smart.”

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