MONROE - About half of the students at Monroe High School did not show up for classes Thursday, amid concerns about a written threat found there last week.
High School Principal Mark Burandt said attendance was down approximately 50 percent Thursday. Students and parents were particularly concerned about a written threat found last Thursday, March 26, that said a bomb would explode in one week.
"It didn't say Thursday exactly," Police Chief Fred Kelley said. "It said one week."
Nonetheless, district officials had expected a drop in attendance Thursday. The district had to evacuate the high school twice - on March 26 and again on Monday - and the middle school once - on Tuesday - because of separate, vague threats found written in school bathrooms.
Monroe Middle School Principal Bill Van Meer also reported a number of students remained home Thursday.
"We had a little higher than normal (number) as far parents calling in," Van Meer said.
Security was heightened at the high school on Thursday.
In addition to measures added earlier in the week - such as locking entrances during the school day and forcing students to sign out of classes - students bags' and clothing were searched Thursday as they entered the school if the apparel appeared suspicious, Burandt said.
Officials were searching bags by feel, then opening them if anything felt unusual. Students were not touched, but Burandt said clothing worn by students that seemed strange was asked to be removed or opened to be searched.
The increased security and tension felt by students and staff has "been taxing and we are working diligently," Burandt said.
The school district is treating the students who stayed home Thursday as if they were granted a parental requested absence; as the school would a sick day. The students will not be forced to make up the class time, but they will have to make up the homework, Burandt said.
In a separate matter, police were called to the high school Wednesday to investigate a note in the bathroom, but it was not a threat, Kelley said Thursday.
Monroe School Superintendent Larry Brown said the district has two ways to look at all threats.
The first is to view them as written by a student who wants out of school early or wants to disrupt the school day.
"We can't afford to look at it from that perspective," Brown said.
He said the district has to take threats seriously. The threats could be made by someone who needs help, he said.
"We're looking for the young man or young woman who may be having issues at school or at home," Brown said. "We're not profiling anyone, but we want them to know that if they are having problems there are people here who care about them and want to help them."
If a student does have a problem, they need to understand there are people at the school they can talk to, Brown said.
Anyone with information can contact the Monroe Police Department at 329-2400, the Green County Sheriff's Department at 328-9400 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 422-7463. Callers don't have to give their names and may be eligible for cash rewards.
High School Principal Mark Burandt said attendance was down approximately 50 percent Thursday. Students and parents were particularly concerned about a written threat found last Thursday, March 26, that said a bomb would explode in one week.
"It didn't say Thursday exactly," Police Chief Fred Kelley said. "It said one week."
Nonetheless, district officials had expected a drop in attendance Thursday. The district had to evacuate the high school twice - on March 26 and again on Monday - and the middle school once - on Tuesday - because of separate, vague threats found written in school bathrooms.
Monroe Middle School Principal Bill Van Meer also reported a number of students remained home Thursday.
"We had a little higher than normal (number) as far parents calling in," Van Meer said.
Security was heightened at the high school on Thursday.
In addition to measures added earlier in the week - such as locking entrances during the school day and forcing students to sign out of classes - students bags' and clothing were searched Thursday as they entered the school if the apparel appeared suspicious, Burandt said.
Officials were searching bags by feel, then opening them if anything felt unusual. Students were not touched, but Burandt said clothing worn by students that seemed strange was asked to be removed or opened to be searched.
The increased security and tension felt by students and staff has "been taxing and we are working diligently," Burandt said.
The school district is treating the students who stayed home Thursday as if they were granted a parental requested absence; as the school would a sick day. The students will not be forced to make up the class time, but they will have to make up the homework, Burandt said.
In a separate matter, police were called to the high school Wednesday to investigate a note in the bathroom, but it was not a threat, Kelley said Thursday.
Monroe School Superintendent Larry Brown said the district has two ways to look at all threats.
The first is to view them as written by a student who wants out of school early or wants to disrupt the school day.
"We can't afford to look at it from that perspective," Brown said.
He said the district has to take threats seriously. The threats could be made by someone who needs help, he said.
"We're looking for the young man or young woman who may be having issues at school or at home," Brown said. "We're not profiling anyone, but we want them to know that if they are having problems there are people here who care about them and want to help them."
If a student does have a problem, they need to understand there are people at the school they can talk to, Brown said.
Anyone with information can contact the Monroe Police Department at 329-2400, the Green County Sheriff's Department at 328-9400 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 422-7463. Callers don't have to give their names and may be eligible for cash rewards.