Schools nationwide have been on high alert following a shooting at a Florida high school that claimed the lives of 17 people.
And, Blue Earth Area (BEA) School District is not any different.
Faribault County Chief Deputy Scott Adams says BEA officials earlier this week received a report of a student with a gun.
“Someone on the school bus overheard something, so the parent contacted school officials,” he says.
Adams says school resource officer DJ Bullerman was contacted and authorities began interviewing students.
“We’re very fortunate that someone came forward and said something, even though it turned out to be nothing,” he says. “It was a bad rumor, but we were able to fully investigate it.”
In a letter sent out to parents Thursday, Superintendent Evan Gough says high school principal Rich Schneider was told a student reportedly brought a gun into the high school building or on a school bus.
“Our district works closely with the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office to make our schools a safe place,” says Gough. “In cooperation with our school resource officer and administration, we act on all reports of unsafe activities at our schools.”
Adams and Gough are asking parents to encourage their children to report anything that may seem suspicious or unsafe.
“Keeping our students safe at school is our top priority,” says Gough.
Anyone with questions may call the high school principal at (507) 526-3201; K-7 principal Melissa McGuire, (507) 526-3115; or sheriff’s office, (507) 526-5148.