Tekoa school lockdown lifted

TEKOA — Schools were reopened on Thursday, Nov. 7, after a nearby welfare check between police and an unknown man.

According to Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers deputies responded around 7 a.m. to a call of a man who was walking around disturbed and frustrated.

“It did happen to be around the school,” Myers said, “There were some indications that he was carrying a sword.”

Myers said the man had not committed a crime and there was no obligation that he come out of his house.

“We did notify the school so they we were aware,” Myers said, noting they do that in almost every one of the towns due to everything being close to schools in small towns.

K-6 Principal and Intervention Teacher Jennifer Sperber and Middle School and High School Principal Yolanda Bone informed students and families that the lockdown had been lifted around 10 a.m. Thursday morning in an email.

The school informed the community there was police presence in the immediate area of the schools.

The District said they utilized a working lockdown protocol to enhance safety during potential risk, allowing classes to resume.

“Working lockdowns are part of practice on how to respond calmly to uncertain situations,” states a letter from the principals to the public,