***Statement from MCCSC printed as submitted to SCINN***
On the morning of September 13, 2022, Monroe County Community School Corporation Administration received a tip that Batchelor Middle School student riding a school bus was in possession of a firearm. School administration and school resource officers immediately enacted safety procedures and quickly detained the student who was en route to school. The student was found to be in possession of a firearm. The student was detained before the student entered the school building. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department assisted. The student has been arrested and is facing a one-year expulsion in accordance with Indiana State Law.
As the incident was reviewed, school officials determined that the middle school student completed Route Bus # 141, a route from student bus stops to Bloomington High School South (BHSS), where the student then transferred to School Bus Route #155, a shuttle route from BHSS to Batchelor Middle School.
Batchelor Middle School remains open on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 with enhanced security precautions in place. Batchelor Middle School Principal, Eric Gilpin, sent a letter to all Batchelor Middle school families. Additionally, BHSS and Batchelor Middle School administrators called the families of students who ride Bus Route #155 and/or Bus Route #141.
Director of School Safety, Dr. Chris Finley, stated, “I want to thank the tip provider who saw something and said something, as well as the school resource officers, school administration and police officers who worked quickly to implement and accurately follow safety protocols.”
The incident remains under investigation, and no further details can be provided at this time.
We remind all students, families, and community members to report any and all safety concerns. Tips can be submitted via the Tip Line link on our home page (www.mccsc.edu) or by calling our Safe School Hotline. At (812) 330-2494.
Any information or quotes provided within this document that are not directly attributed to another person or source should be attributed to Ms. Alexis Harmon, Director of Educational Technology and Communications for The Monroe County Community School Corporation.