On Tuesday morning, Great Bend High School went into a “hold and secure” status in response to a phone-reported bomb threat that was later found to be baseless. Law enforcement responded and school resumed as normal within the hour.

Great Bend became the latest of several Kansas communities receiving similar threats this month.

Last week, KWCH TV in Wichita reported at least three Kansas high schools had been impacted by bomb threats in recent days. Southeast High School in Wichita and Central Christian School in Hutchinson received threats on April 22. Police responded in each case. The buildings were evacuated out of an abundance of caution until it was determined the threats were not credible.

Garden City High School received a threat on April 21. Around 4 p.m., an unknown caller said a bomb was inside the school. Students and staff were evacuated while law enforcement and first responders searched the school. After the search, no threat was found and no explosives were located.

In Great Bend, the school was not evacuated. That decision was based on the Threat Assessment of the call received, USD 428 Public Information Officer Andrea Bauer said.

Instead, the district initiated its Secure protocol.

“Secure protocol is used when a potential threat is outside the building,” she said. “With the building ‘Secure,’ we were able to quickly engage law enforcement and being investigating.

“The campus was also searched out of an abundance of caution.

“Every situation and scenario is unique. While we’ve seen several high schools in the state deal with false threats recently, we take every threat seriously and investigate each one thoroughly.”

As the incident developed, the district office sent emails to families announcing GBHS was in “Secure” status and later announcing all was well and classes had resumed as usual. Later that day, the district’s public information office summarized the event with the following information:

Dear GBHS Families & Staff,

At approximately 11 a.m. today, Great Bend High School received a phone call from an unknown individual indicating he was on the way to the school with a bomb. Following an initial Threat Assessment, the school implemented a “Secure” status, which involves locking exterior doors and keeping all students and staff safely inside the building. Classrooms were then put in “Hold” while the investigation took place.

Law enforcement and first responders arrived promptly and, with support from school staff, conducted a thorough search of the building for any suspicious items. After completing their investigation, authorities determined there was no credible threat. No explosives or dangerous materials were found, and there is no danger to students, staff, or the school.

The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority. Great Bend High School and the district take all threats seriously and will continue to work closely with the Great Bend Police Department to ensure a safe learning environment. School will continue on a normal schedule.

We encourage families to speak with their students about the importance of reporting any safety concerns to a trusted adult at school or directly to law enforcement. If you see something or hear something, please say something.

For more information about our safety procedures, including the Standard Response Protocol, please visit:

https://www.greatbendschools.net/district/srp

Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe and positive environment for all students and staff.

Standard Response Protocol

USD 428 utilizes the Standard Response Protocol. Information about the protocol has been provided below. Learn more at GreatBendSchools.net/district/srp.

SECURE - “Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors.”

Parent Information: Secure is called when there is a potentially dangerous situation outside the building. Students and staff are brought into the building, and the outside doors will be locked. The school might display the Building is Secured poster at entry doors or nearby windows. Inside, the school day will proceed – it will be business as usual.

Should parents come to the school during a secure event?

Probably not. Every effort is made to conduct classes as normal during a secure event. Additionally, parents may be asked to stay outside during a Secure event.

What if parents need to pick up their student?

Depending on the situation, it may not be safe to release the student. As the situation evolves, Secure might change to a Monitored Entry and/or Controlled Release.