Bomb Threat Forces Evacuation Of Mill Valley Middle School

MILL VALLEY, CA – Mill Valley Middle School was evacuated Tuesday due to a bomb threat, authorities said.

The school received a voicemail around 9 a.m. that said a bomb had been placed at the campus at 425 Sycamore Ave., according to the Mill Valley Police Department. As a precaution, Mill Valley police and firefighters evacuated the school while officers, deputies and K-9 units searched the campus.

The district and Kiddo! offices were also evacuated, according to the Mill Valley School District. Elementary schools remained in session.

"When threats of this nature occur, it is our duty to take them seriously, act accordingly, and determine next steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff," said Raquel Rose, interim superintendent of the Mill Valley School District. "Our evacuation and emergency release protocols were in accordance with local law enforcement and allowed staff to ensure each and every child was accounted for."

Students were evacuated to the Mill Valley Community Center at 180 Camino Alto.

Authorities asked residents within a half-mile of the school to shelter in place.

By 1 p.m., no device had been found and the campus was determined to be safe, officials said. The shelter-in-place order was lifted shortly before 1:30 p.m.

"As I watched the situation unfold I was so very impressed with how our MVSD staff, community center staff, and emergency response personnel (fire, police, etc.) responded calmly and professionally in an effort to work through this unique situation peacefully," Rose said. "The remarkable patience of our students and their parents/guardians was also key to allowing us to end the process in a safe and productive manner."

Classes are slated to resume Wednesday at Mill Valley Middle School.

The source of the call remains under investigation.