Rock Valley, Iowa — The “safety concern” that caused Rock Valley Community School District officials to evacuate the school on Wednesday, December 9th, was, as many people surmised, a bomb threat. That from Rock Valley Superintendent Chad Janzen.
Janzen says that about 11 a.m., the district office was notified of a bomb threat. He says that after verifying this was true, local authorities were contacted and the district implemented their Crisis Plan. He says that while the seriousness of the threat was unknown, the decision was made to evacuate the building to be sure students and staff were safe.
Janzen tells us law enforcement searched the building and found the threat not to be credible. He says that at no time were students or staff in immediate danger.
First responders from the Rock Valley Police Department; Sioux County Sheriff’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Rock Valley Fire Department; Hull Fire Department; and the City of Rock Valley worked together to clear the school and make sure the building was safe for students and staff to return.
According to Janzen, the matter continues to be under investigation by the district in cooperation with law enforcement.
He says all students were returned to their parents without incident.
Janzen says the district would like to thank all first responders, Hope Haven, and staff for helping ensure the safety of the students. He says that a special thank you is deserved for Chief of Police, Monte Warburton, for the leadership he provided. Janzen says they would also like to thank the City of Rock Valley, Peoples Bank, and Sunshine Foods for helping feed the students.
Janzen says Thursday “will be a regular day. Building principals will meet with students in grades 6-12 to talk about the day. Counselors will plan to be available as necessary.”
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Original story, posted Dec 9, 2020 at 2:48 p.m.:
Rock Valley, Iowa — While the nature of the situation is unknown at this time, the Rock Valley Community School has been evacuated, according to a social media post.
The post on Rock Valley Superintendent Chad Janzen’s page says
“Due to a student safety concern, Rock Valley Community School has been evacuated. All students are in a secure location and safe. Further information will be released when available.”
At last report, no one at the school, or the Rock Valley Police Department was available to comment.
Sioux County Emergency Manager Nate Huizenga would only say that the City of Rock Valley and the Rock Valley Community School District should be releasing more information shortly.
As of 3:00 p.m., Superintendent Janzen posted, “Authorities have given us the clear to dismiss the students as normal.” He went on to give dismissal details including the fact that students would not be allowed back into the school, but they would be dismissed from outside the building into the parking lot. The statement ended with, “Further information regarding the day will be released later by Mr. Janzen to the extent possible.”
