"It's a shame:" Threat prompts officials to move students from Williams Bay Jr./Sr. High School

WILLIAMS BAY (WITI) -- A threat found written in a bathroom at Williams Bay Jr./Sr. High School prompted school officials to move students from the school on Tuesday afternoon, March 3rd. They are now trying to track down who is responsible for the threat.

It started as a lockdown of the school, and ended with students evacuated.

Wayne Anderson, the superintendent of the school district, sent a phone message to parents telling of the threat. Students were transferred to the district's elementary school around 1:30 p.m. where they waited in the gym. They were dismissed at their regular time.

Williams Bay Jr./Sr. High School was being searched by a couple of K9 officers -- assisted by the Williams Bay Police Department and Williams Bay Fire Department.

Some parents say they were caught off guard when they received the superintendent's message.

"A little bit worried," one parent said.

FOX6 News caught up with Cody Lohse at the nearby elementary school.

"The principal came through the speaker and said teachers couldn't let their students leave the classroom. Everyone thought it was more of like, a joke," Lohse said.

But school officials aren't laughing.

"Even if you don't think there is anything behind it, you don't want to take the chance to treat something lightly,"

K9 units were called in from as far away as Milwaukee County to help clear the school.

Williams Bay officials say when they find the person responsible -- they'll be passing them a bill.

"There is a great deal of cost that goes into this both personal, emotional, and financial. Could end up in a $10,000 fine and as much as six-and-a-half years in prison,"

"It's a great school. Great area too. It's a shame,"

The school was cleared in time for the basketball team to play a playoff game Tuesday night. This, as the investigation continues.



Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.