Two Northwest Whitfield High School students were arrested on Thursday after officials said they were caught attempting to make bogus bomb threats.
Heather Lynn Bowers, 17, of Buckboard Road, Tunnel Hill, spent Thursday night in the Whitfield County Jail after being charged with criminal attempt at a false public alarm, according to officials. She is expected to appear before a magistrate for a bond hearing today at 3:30 p.m.
In a separate incident, a 14-year-old male is charged with making a false public alarm. His name was not released because he is a juvenile.
Investigators with the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to question students and more arrests may be made, said Maj. John Gibson.
Students were not evacuated Thursday but have been evacuated four times in the past nine days after threats were found written in various locations, including in rest rooms throughout the school.
Thursday morning, school employees began limiting the number of restrooms open to students during class time and “monitored” the restrooms, including during class changes, according to a news release from the school system.
Plans are to add parent monitors at the school, according to the news release. The school’s counseling department and the system’s crisis team are available to students who need their support.
Fourteen hours of instructional time has been lost due to the bomb threats, school officials have said. Superintendent Katie Brochu suggested at a board meeting on Tuesday that loss of instructional time may have to be made up on Saturdays, during spring break or possibly during the summer. No decision has been made.
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Text of press release from Whitfield County Schools:
Law enforcement is continuing their investigation into the bomb threats at Northwest Whitfield High School and school officials are taking this very seriously with the intention of filing charges against all persons involved.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency has reviewed and approved the school’s emergency plan. In the case of a bomb threat, we follow directives from fire and law enforcement authorities. Our county maintenance workers partner with these departments in searching the building for possible explosives because they are familiar with our school buildings.
County maintenance employees have received the same training as law enforcement on recognizing and reacting to explosive devices. They work under the direction of law enforcement when providing this service.
School employees are being proactive by limiting the number of restrooms that are open during class time. Additional restrooms are open for student use during class changes. The bathrooms are being monitored. Everything possible is being done to keep students safe while they are in school.
The school’s counseling department as well as the system’s crisis team is available to any student who needs their support.
Many parents and community members have asked how they can help. Plans are being made to involve parents in helping to monitor students during parts of the day. The most important thing parents can do is to encourage their children to speak up if they have information. Additional information about helping students cope with traumatic events is available on the school district’s Web site at www.whitfield.k12.ga.us.
A parent’s emotional response to a student’s stress can reduce the emotional effect or make it worse for the student. It is important to remain calm and focus on the needs of the children.
Dr. Katie Brochu, superintendent of our school system, has suggested that loss of instructional time may have to be made up. A decision as to how or if this will take place will be made at a future time.
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March 6, 2008
2 teens arrested for bomb threats at Northwest
- Local News
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Police and Fire Games: Dalton firefighter snags second place
Mason Martin, back right, cheers on his mother, Serena Martin, an officer with the Dalton Police Department, as she pushes a patrol car as part of an obstacle course to determine the “Toughest Overall” during the Georgia Police and Fire Games on Monday at the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Department’s firing range. (Misty Watson/The Daily Citizen)
A seasoned Dalton firefighter placed second in the Toughest Overall Competitor event at the Police and Fire Games in Dalton on Monday.
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