Possible Bomb Threat Investigated in Overton ISD

OVERTON — Overton police and school officials are following up after a possible threat prompted an evacuation in the Overton Independent School District. According to school officials, at approximately 9:15 Thursday morning, Overton High School principal Kendall Smith received an email, apparently from a student, that he perceived as a potential bomb threat to the high school building. Smith contacted OISD superintendent Stephen DuBose and then proceeded to call the Overton Police Department and begin the evacuation of the high school building.

Upon the arrival of Chief Clyde Carter of the OPD, the remainder of the buildings in the OISD system were evacuated. The secondary grades, 6-12, were taken to the Administrative Annex on McKay Street and the elementary students were bused to the Kilgore College farm on highway 135. The investigation continues, and officials said trained search dogs were put to work. Due to the anticipated length of time needed to clear the buildings, Superintendent DuBose decided to release students to their parents and allow an early release to students who had permission to leave. Students who could not leave were provided a lunch and were supervised until the normal school release time when the buses ran as usual, according to DuBose. The all-clear was sounded around 2 p.m. OISD does not have school today as it is the Good Friday holiday already scheduled.