Dear Banks High School Families and Students,
We are writing to provide you with clear information regarding the Secure (Lockout) protocol that was implemented on our Banks High School campus today. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we want to ensure you have the facts regarding today’s events.
What Happened
Earlier today, several former students entered the school building without permission to be on campus. School administration was notified, and due to information regarding a possible threat, administration contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Department . To ensure the campus remained contained while the situation was resolved, we transitioned into a Secure (we used to call this Lockout) status.
Law Enforcement Involvement
The Washington County Sheriff’s Department arrived immediately after the call was made. Deputies arrived on-site, made contact with the individuals both involved, and officially trespassed them from school district property.
Our Response Measures
To maintain a safe and focused environment, we took the following steps:
- Secure Protocol: All exterior doors remained locked. Inside the building, the school day proceeded as usual, and students continued with their scheduled learning.
- Passing Times: We briefly lifted the Secure status for passing times to allow for normal movement; however, a Sheriff’s Deputy remained on campus during this time to provide an extra layer of security.
- Afternoon Supervision: Out of an abundance of caution, we maintained the Secure status for the remainder of the school day, with law enforcement presence remaining on-site until dismissal.
We understand that when these protocols are used, students, parents, and community are concerned and sometimes fear the worst. We appreciate law enforcement’s quick response to our campus, and our students and staff’s cooperation to keep everyone safe.
Please be assured that these steps were taken proactively to prevent any escalation and to keep our campus safe. We are incredibly proud of how our students handled the day with maturity and cooperation.
I know that you often hear immediately from students, facebook, etc. and have been left wondering for details. We take the matter at hand and the safety of our students as the first priority and will do our best to keep you informed as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your continued support of Banks High School and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Jacob Pence
Principal, Banks High School