UPDATE: Statement Issued Following Bomb Threat at Chincoteague Combined School

UPDATE: Students from Chincoteague Combined School (CCS) and Chincoteague Elementary School (CES) were dismissed early following a bomb threat issued against the combined school earlier today.

In a message posted on social media, Superintendent Dr. Gennifer Miller stated that at 11:30 a.m., CCS staff were alerted to a note on campus indicating the possibility of an explosive device. Students and staff were evacuated immediately while law enforcement commenced its initial assessment.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to our first responders and to the CCS and CES staff whose coordinated, rapid, and composed efforts upheld the highest standards of student safety,” said Dr. Miller. “We also thank our parents and guardians, your cooperation allowed us to carry out dismissal procedures with precision and care.”

School officials say the decision to send students home early was made out of an abundance of caution. ACPS staff responded with exceptional professionalism, quickly initiating the reunification process and ensuring that students were safely returned to their families.

As of 2:26 p.m., the school district said that law enforcement has concluded their security sweep and determined that there is no active threat to either of the schools.

All on-campus after-school events for both schools are cancelled for Thursday, Nov. 13. Both schools will resume normal activities Friday, Nov. 14.

CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. – Chincoteague Combined and Chincoteague Elementary School have been evacuated following a bomb threat left at the combined school.

Accomack County Public Schools issued a statement on social media on Thursday, alerting families that law enforcement was on scene assessing the threat and clearing the school.

“We want to assure our families that students are safely outside the buildings, and updates will be provided on this post as soon as our law enforcement partners have assessed the situation.”

WMDT will continue to report on this story as updates are made available.

This article was originally published on Nov. 13 at 12:23 p.m.