School District Appreciates Community Awareness

by Loni Rahm

For the second time in as many weeks, Manson Schools were advised by law enforcement officials to go into precautionary lockdown.

From a media release distributed by Manson School District on Tuesday, 11/6/18:

Today at approximately 8:40 a.m. Manson School District was notified by the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office to go into a lockdown. Manson Schools immediately went into a lockdown and waited for further direction.

Sheriff’s deputies responded quickly and were able to determine no immediate threat to the schools. Sheriff’s deputies and a canine unit next searched school grounds and nearby neighborhoods. Once it was clear no immediate credible threat was present they gave Manson Schools notice to remove the lockdown.

The incident began with a call from a community member reporting they had observed a person with a gun walking in the vicinity of the school campus. Further details regarding the reported threat can be directed to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

Manson School District is thankful for the support and fast response by our law enforcement partners. We also appreciate our community’s diligence in reporting anything unusual to law enforcement modeling what we teach our students “if you see something, say something.”

end of media release

Matt Charlton, Manson School District Superintendent, indicated by phone that he was really proud of how the staff and students conducted themselves. Parents were notified via text message about the initial lockdown and subsequent “soft lock down” – a status which keeps all students inside the buildings with exterior doors locked.