If we didn't do anything and something did actually happen... I couldn't live with myself. I couldn't handle it if something happened to my kids; and, they are my kids when they are here during the day.
They looked in places I wouldn't have even thought to look in. They did a fantastic job. And the faculty did really well too. Everyone was very professional.
When I first was contacted, I knew that something had to be done. The two things that kept running through my mind were the earthquake warning in 1990 - even though nothing happened, we dismissed school - and what has been done at other schools when bomb threats have been made.
I immediately called the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department and the Bloomfield Police. They came down and did a very thorough search throughout the building.
I think that is a pretty good reflection on the students when the only bad thing you can find in the entire school is one pack of cigarettes. That is pretty good.
I think they knew we were serious and were willing to help out. They did very well.
