By Carol Anders Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — A press release issued by the Plymouth Community Schools Thursday, confirmed that a bomb threat in the form of a note was found in the stall of the Plymouth High School bathroom Tuesday.
According to the press release, a plan of action was immediately developed with the aid of Plymouth Police Officer Mark Owens.
Administration from the high school investigated tapes from the security cameras in an attempt to identify a potential suspect. It is not known whether the letter was the act of one person or more than one.

A faculty meeting was called Wednesday evening to communicate strategies.
According to administrators, a floor to ceiling search of the entire high school was done in which nothing was detected.
PHS Principal Jim Condon compiled a letter informing parents of the situation that was sent home with students Thursday. Condon read the letter to the student body Thursday over the PA system.
In it, Condon made the school’s position clear.
He said, “We are dealing with an issue that must be taken seriously that I want to make you aware of. On May 6, a bomb threat was reported to the administration. This threat was made in the form of a note placed on a bathroom wall here at school. The note stated that a bomb would go off Friday at noon. Regardless of whether I feel this threat is credible or not, we must give it our full attention as we always place the safety of everyone attending Plymouth High School as our top priority.”
According to the press release from the central office, if nothing is found through all of the efforts, they will make some changes at the high school Friday.
Condon’s letter contained the following, “On Friday, we ask that students not enter school with any backpacks or large carrying bags. Instead, students are being asked to leave those items at home or in their car. If a need exists to carry a bag or backpack to school it must be related to a physical or medical condition and receive preapproval from a principal.”
Condon informed both students and parents that they should expect to see some police officers on campus today.
Condon said in the letter, “Attendance at school on Friday will be optional and will not be held against you if you bring a note from your parent to student services upon your return Monday. We will conduct school as usual Friday and hope that you will join us.”
As of Thursday at noon, Superinten-dent Dan Tyree said that no staff person has requested to be excused Friday.
“Teachers have personal days that they are free to use if they desire,” he said.
A decision was made late Thursday morning to allow students to participate in sporting events or other activities after regular school hours whether they attended school or not on Friday, according to Tyree.
The letter to the parents also included a plea for help. In the letter, Condon said, “As far as students or parents are concerned, we are asking for your cooperation in this issue in a couple different ways:
If you have any information that may lead us to a potential suspect please bring that forth to a building administrator. You will be rewarded for any information that may help us in our efforts.”
Tyree and Condon were at a conference in French Lick when the threatening note was found.
Tyree said, “We were immediately notified. Within an hour, we left the conference, packed and returned to Plymouth.”
Tyree said, “We felt that we had 24 hours to find who might have left the threatening letter before releasing details.”
Tyree said actions taken by assistant PHS Principals Don Harrison and Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff were appropriate and appreciated.
Condon said a few parents had picked up their children Thursday. The press release was posted on the school’s blog Thursday morning and some parents found out about the threat after receiving calls or text messages from their children.
Parents expressed differing views on how they would decide if their child would be in school today. Many said they are comfortable with the school’s handling of the matter, while others believe they should err on the side of caution and have their children stay out of school for the day.
Tyree said, “The note that was found is a ‘copycat’ version on the one found in the Penn Schools this year. We contacted administrators at both Penn High School and LaVille Schools. Both schools have had bomb threats made within the last few weeks. LaVille administrators told us what they thought they did right and what they thought they did wrong. We learned from them, and we followed the Penn Schools’ model with some slight modifications.”
Questions have arisen as to why students were allowed to remain in the building Wednesday during the search by law enforcement authorities.
Tyree said, “We did not feel there was an imminent threat since the note indicated that a bomb would go off on Friday. The students were allowed to finish practice sessions before the area was searched.”
Tyree also responded to questions concerning what measures were taken Thursday to insure that no bomb was taken into the facility that evening. He reiterated that they felt there was no imminent threat and the entire faculty was made aware of the plan of action.
Tyree said authorities from Kosciusko and Allen counties searched the entire school Thursday night for several hours. The dogs have specific training to detect explosives. Tyree said every area was searched, even the third floor above the ceiling in the gym.
“Attendance is poor,” Tyree said, however the school did not release the official number of absent students today.