Standing Rock Students Get Released Early After Threat - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

More than 800 Standing Rock students are sent on Christmas break early after two days of threats.

The threat was related to the high school, but all three schools on campus were evacuated.

The school superintendent says no weapon has been found and no arrests have been made, but everyone is on high alert after what's been going on around the country.

School gets let out early for the second day in a row due to a word-of-mouth gun threat.

Superintendent of schools, Wayne Trottier says he would rather people be upset for overreacting than be upset for under reacting.

School was let out Tuesday and Wednesday mornings after a word of mouth threat involving a firearm.

"My big concern was I've got my little kids in school, yeah we kind of all freaked out here a little bit yesterday, we all got kids here in the elementary." says Sherry Elk/parent.

BIA police officers have been on-scene sweeping the high school again Wednesday to be extra thorough.

Superintendent Wayne Trottier says they do already have locked entrances and a metal detector at the front entrance, but when students return back to school after Christmas break, they can expect beefed up security, more officers on campus.

Christmas break was scheduled for Friday, but after the threats and high level of anxiety, administrators decided to release the students and staff two days early.

Here is a complete press release from the superintendent:

Press Release From the Superintendent's Office

Standing Rock Community Schools

December 19, 2012      4:44PM

On Tuesday, December 18, 2012, the Standing Rock Community High School received a tip of a threat of violence.  The school was placed in a lockdown and all students and staff were subsequently removed from the school building.  After discussion with the local police authorities it was decided to dismiss school for the remainder of the day.  On Wednesday, at 8:00 AM, there was additional reason to continue the school lockdown and again students were returned home.  At no time were any students and staff placed in a situation that would have potentially caused them any harm.  Our apologies for any inconvenience these decisions may have created for students, parents and guardians, however these decisions were made with the safety and security of our students first, even in the case of a tip reported threat.  It is our policy that all threats, however conveyed, are taken seriously and followed up according to protocol and in coordination with local law enforcement officials.  An investigation into the incident is ongoing.  School will reconvene in January 2, 2013, as scheduled.

Dr. Wayne Trottier Jr.

Superintendent

Standing Rock Community Schools

Ft. Yates, ND 58568