Routine search at KHS leads to several citations

The Kimball High School was placed on lockdown on Wednesday, March 15, during a routine search of student lockers and vehicles. Students were held in classrooms to prevent interaction with the canines during the search, according to Kimball Superintendent of Schools, Marshall Lewis.

“This particular event was planned as a preventative action,” Lewis said. “Law enforcement interaction is a regular part of the community collaboration in which Kimball Public Schools engages.”

Though the event, a cooperative effort between the Nebraska State Patrol, WING and the Kimball Police Department, was planned, the outcome was “unexpected,” according to Kimball Police Chief Andy Bremer. An unnamed quantity of marijuana was found on the property along with weapons, resulting in numerous citations and ongoing investigation.

“We will continue to follow policy and protocol to maintain a safe and drug-free learning environment. As with any incident, this has given us the opportunity to reflect on our policy and practice in order to be as efficient and complete in providing services for our students,” Lewis said. “It is our intent to keep the buildings and grounds substance-free in order to keep the focus of our educational system on the learning and activities provided by Kimball Public Schools. This includes students, staff, and visitors. We have recently increased our efforts to inform the public that tobacco products are not allowed to be used on school grounds even by those individuals of legal age.”

We are trying to assist the school and keep it a safe environment,” Bremer said. “I think they are going to see us a lot more up there than they have in the past.”

“Kimball Public Schools greatly appreciates the diligence and work of law enforcement officers and canines that conducted the random search this past Wednesday, and we continue to collaborate with all agencies on behalf of the safety and health of our students and community,” Lewis concluded.