TRACY - Tracy Area High School was locked down on Wednesday while area authorities investigated a bomb threat, Tracy Police said. A search of the school building did not turn up any explosives, said Tracy Police Chief Jason Lichty.
At approximately 11 a.m., Tracy Superintendent Loy Woelber was handed a note that a student had found in a bathroom outside of the district office. The message implied that a bomb would go off in the school within the next 72 hours.
"We're taking it seriously," Woelber said. "I called the police and Chad (Anderson, TAHS principal/assistant superintendent) and . It's just too bad some folks make bad choices."
Anderson, who was out of town at a law conference at the time the note was found, quickly returned to TAHS. According to Woelber, Anderson unloaded on the students at an assembly, explaining that the incident was an attack on all students.
"Chad considers all the students to be his students," Woelber said. "He told them, 'nobody threatens my kids.'"
Lichty said a letter explaining Wednesday's incident is being sent to parents in the school district. Woelber also informed board members via a letter.
TAHS administrators will continue taking precautions throughout the remainder of the week. No students will be allowed to leave the building today or Friday unless the culprit(s) is found.
"There will be no open campus for the next two days," Woelber said. "Everyone gets checked out."
A substitute will be hired to monitor the north doors all day and student bags will be searched each morning.
"We're hoping somebody comes forward," Woelber said.