Allen County Schools releases letter amid recent school threats

ALLEN COUNTY, Ky. – The Allen County Schools district has released the following letter from superintendent Travis Hamby regarding recent threats toward schools:

“Dear Parents and Guardians,”

“In light of recent events in our school, community, and nation, we understand the concern you feel each morning when sending your child to school. With the constant 24-7 news cycle and the rapid sharing of information through social media, accurate and sometimes inaccurate or misleading information can spread quickly. This can understandably heighten your worry about your child’s safety at school. We want to take a moment to address those concerns directly.

“Regarding the recent threats made at one of our schools, we immediately began collaborating with local law enforcement as soon as we were made aware of the situation on Thursday evening. As we communicated via Parent Square that night, the individual responsible for the initial threat was quickly identified, and the matter was addressed.

“On Friday, other students brought additional concerns to our attention, which led to a second investigation. Once again, we worked closely with law enforcement and our school resource officers to swiftly identify those responsible, who were then charged and taken into custody. While we acted swiftly and thoroughly, please rest assured that the safety of our students remained our top priority throughout these investigations, and we took all necessary precautions to maintain a secure environment.

“We want to assure you that we are continually taking proactive steps—something we’ve been committed to for years—to enhance the security of our campuses. The safety of your children and our staff is our highest priority. In many ways, we consider each other a second family, and there is no limit to the lengths we will go to protect our school environment from any potential danger.

Currently, I would like to share with you some of the safeguards and strategies we have in place:

•  Each school has a school resource officer on-site. We work closely with our local sheriff’s office and city police departments for additional support whenever necessary.
• All exterior doors are locked and monitored throughout the school day, and classroom doors remain locked during instructional time.
•  Visitors are electronically admitted into our schools after being screened, providing identification, and confirming a valid reason for being on campus.
•  The Office of the State School Security Marshal conducts unannounced inspections to ensure all safety protocols are being followed. One of our schools was recently inspected this week.
•  Each school has a trained Threat Assessment Team in place.
• Our school staff are trained in Active Shooter Safety Protocols, such as “Run, Hide, Lockdown,” and maintaining Situational Awareness. Many staff members are also trained in Stop the Bleed, CPR, and basic First Aid.
• We regularly conduct drills for lockdown procedures, in addition to fire, severe weather, and earthquake drills.
• We have established comprehensive protocols for both pre-event and post-event scenarios to address any issues that may arise.
• We utilize the Statewide STOP Tipline, which allows anyone—students, staff, parents, guardians, community members, or law enforcement—to submit tips if they “See or Hear Something.” Prompt reporting helps us prevent potential threats.
•  We have a School Safety Coordinator who works directly with the Kentucky Center for School Safety and the Office of the State School Security Marshal.

“Our staff works closely with students to help them understand safety protocols. Children of different ages process these situations differently, and it is important for us to listen to their concerns and guide them appropriately.

“We are committed to keeping you informed about any future developments related to school safety. Regular communication between the school and families is essential in maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all our students.

“We encourage you to stay involved in school activities, keep open lines of communication with your child, reinforce the importance of following school safety rules, and encourage your child to report anything they see or hear that could be a danger to our school community (See Something, Say Something). By working together, we can ensure that our schools remain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

“If your child is feeling anxious or concerned, please know that our school and mental health counselors are available at each school to provide support. We want all students to feel safe and comfortable discussing any worries they may have.

“Lastly, please rest assured that we always seek ways to strengthen our safety measures. We are committed to continuously reviewing and improving our protocols to maintain the highest safety standards for your children.

“Let’s continue to work together as a community to maximize the safety of all our students. Please feel free to contact me at any time with concerns regarding your child’s safety and school experience.”

You can view a social media post of the letter here:

If you see or hear anything concerning, please report it by either contacting an adult at your child’s school or by using the Kentucky Safe School Tipline: Call 866-393-6659 or use the online form at https://safeschools.ky.gov/.