Three schools in the Clovis Unified School District were placed under a shelter-in-place order on Monday afternoon following a threatening phone call. The threat, which disrupted the school day for hundreds of students, was later determined by police to be a hoax.
Clovis East High School, Reyburn Intermediate, and Reagan Elementary all initiated lockdown procedures after the district received the call around 1:25 p.m. The incident prompted a significant police response and caused concern among parents as dismissal times were delayed.
Key Takeaways
- A threatening phone call at 1:25 p.m. on Monday led to a shelter-in-place at three Clovis Unified schools.
- The affected campuses were Clovis East High School, Reyburn Intermediate, and Reagan Elementary.
- Clovis Police investigated the incident and concluded the threat was a non-credible hoax.
- Student release was delayed by approximately 45 minutes at the high school and intermediate school.
- Some after-school activities were canceled at Reagan Elementary as a precaution.
Investigation Unfolds During School Hours
The threatening call sent a wave of caution through the three adjacent campuses. Clovis Unified officials acted immediately, coordinating with law enforcement to secure the schools and ensure the safety of students and staff. Clovis Police officers arrived on-site to conduct a thorough investigation of the threat's credibility.
During the shelter-in-place, normal school operations were paused. Students and teachers remained in their classrooms, and no one was permitted to enter or leave the campuses. This created a tense situation for parents who began arriving for the regular end-of-day pickup, particularly at Reagan Elementary.
District officials communicated with families throughout the event. An email sent to Reagan Elementary parents clarified the situation, stating that while they could not come onto campus, they could retrieve their children from the designated pick-up and drop-off areas in the school parking lot once it was safe.
Understanding 'Shelter-in-Place'
A shelter-in-place order is a common safety protocol used by schools during a potential threat in the surrounding area. It involves bringing everyone indoors, locking all outside doors, and continuing classroom activities as normally as possible. It is generally considered less severe than a full lockdown, where interior doors are also locked and classroom instruction ceases.
Disruptions to Dismissal and After-School Plans
The timing of the incident, just before the end of the school day, caused significant disruptions to dismissal procedures. The safety of the students remained the top priority, leading to a carefully managed and delayed release process.
Delayed Release for Older Students
At Clovis East High School and Reyburn Intermediate, the dismissal was postponed. In a message sent to families at approximately 4:09 p.m., school officials announced that police had cleared the campuses. Students were then released in phases, about 45 minutes later than their usual schedule. Despite the delay, officials confirmed that after-school activities at these two schools would proceed as planned.
Students attending the Latino Success Conference at Clovis East were also held on campus until the shelter-in-place order was officially lifted.
Timeline of Events
- 1:25 p.m.: Clovis Unified receives a threatening phone call.
- Shortly after: Shelter-in-place is ordered for Clovis East, Reyburn, and Reagan schools.
- ~3:00 p.m.: Normal dismissal time passes; students remain on campus.
- 4:09 p.m.: District officials notify parents that police have cleared the campuses.
- ~4:15 p.m.: Phased release of students begins, 45 minutes behind schedule.
Cancellations at the Elementary Level
Reagan Elementary faced more significant changes to its afternoon schedule. All after-school activities were canceled for the day, with one exception: the Expanded Learning Club (ELC). This decision was made to simplify the dismissal process and ensure all children were picked up safely.
A special protocol was implemented for students who typically walk home. An email to parents specified that these students would be held in the Multipurpose room until a parent or guardian could pick them up directly. This measure prevented children from walking home while a police investigation was still active in the area.
All Clear Given After Hoax Confirmed
After a thorough assessment, the Clovis Police Department determined that the threat was not credible. The call was identified as a hoax, a type of incident that unfortunately consumes significant law enforcement resources and causes unnecessary alarm within communities.
"The safety and security of our students and staff is our highest priority," a statement from the district might typically read in such situations. "We are grateful for the swift and professional response of the Clovis Police Department and for the patience and cooperation of our families during this challenging event."
While the incident ended without harm, it served as a stressful reminder of the security challenges schools face. The coordinated response between the school district and local police ensured that established safety protocols were followed effectively, prioritizing the well-being of everyone on campus. Normal school operations are expected to resume on Tuesday.