(This story has been updated to include information sent out in an email from South Rowan High School Principal Jennifer Brayley.)
LANDIS — South Rowan High School was placed into lockdown on Wednesday after reports of a potential weapon.
Rowan-Salisbury School Board Vice Chair Dean Hunter, who represents the southern district of the county, confirmed the lockdown.
“We have been told there was a potential weapon,” Hunter said. “I was told that the person of interest was no longer on the campus.”
Landis Police Chief Matthew Geelen also confirmed that the school was in lockdown.
In an email to student families, South Rowan Principal Jennifer Brayley said the school was placed ona “secure hold” that lasted approximately an hour and a half.
“Today, we received a report and investigated an incident of an inappropriate item on our campus,” the email said. “The situation was handled immediately and appropriately by administrators, with the assistance of the school resource officer and local law enforcement.”
According to Brayley’s email, a secure hold means that “while local authorities are working on the situation, all students and staff are secured inside the building, and no persons are allowed to enter the building during that time, but instruction continues.”
Brayley’s emailed continued, “We appreciate the support of our students who shared their concerns and reported them to the appropriate adults inside the building. It is through the efforts of everyone on our campus that we keep our students safe. We encourage you to use this as a teachable moment with your student and ask you to please review the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Code of Conduct. As parents and guardians of our students, please talk with your students about items that are not allowed on campus. Some items held harmless at home are not appropriate in the school environment and may result in disciplinary action. Please also be diligent about checking behind your child as well. It is the responsibility of the parents and guardians to check bookbags and personal belongings, including student vehicles, to monitor items that come and go from school.
“We appreciate all you do as parents to support the education and safety of all students. Student safety is the highest priority for Rowan-Salisbury Schools, and we are all working diligently every day to ensure the safety of children. Working together allows us to provide the very best for our community.”
The scene at South Rowan follows a similar one at North Rowan High School on Tuesday, where the school was put on alert for a potential weapon as well, prompting a large response from local law enforcement.
Spencer Police Chief Michael File confirmed on Tuesday that the response was precautionary after a report of a possible sighting of a gun on campus.
File ultimately described the reports as rumors, but said that his department’s response was in line with what the incident required.
“You have to respond like it is (an emergency),” File said. “You do your due diligence. Ninety-nine percent of the time it turns out like it did (Tuesday).”
File commended fellow law enforcement agencies that also responded to the scene saying, “It is always nice to have a lot of manpower,” adding that it shows how well they all work together.
