27 February 2008, Belleville, ON—Early this morning, around 7:30 a.m., a staff member at Madoc Public School was walking to a portable. A loud sound was heard, then a “ping” off the portable. The principal was informed immediately.

The Madoc Public School principal called 911 immediately, then the superintendent, who initiated emergency calls to the director of education, other school board officials and Tri-Board Student Transportation Services.

To ensure student safety, some buses for Madoc Public School were diverted to the front of the school. The principal met the buses and escorted the children into the school. Other elementary and secondary students were directed into the high school. Both schools initiated lock-down procedures.

The Ontario Provincial Police conducted a thorough search of the area around Madoc Public School and Centre Hastings Secondary School and found no evidence of any firearms offences or suspicious activity. The lock-downs at both schools were lifted at approximately 9:25 a.m.

A letter of explanation will be sent home with students from Madoc Public, Madoc Township and Centre Hastings Secondary schools this afternoon.

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For more information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, 613-966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, extension 2354