False Alarm Prompts Lockdown

Just after 11:15 Thursday morning, an alarm quickly sounded on the campus of Matanzas High School. It was not a previously scheduled test or drill, so school administrators quickly placed the campus on lockdown.

Within minutes, deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a Palm Coast Fire Department crew were on the scene. Teams of deputies then began the process of searching the school, per emergency procedures. This also included moving visitors on the campus who were in the parking lot to a neighboring church.

The entire campus was cleared and the “all clear” was given just after 12:30 pm. The school resumed normal operations, with an augmented bell schedule for the remainder of the day.

District personnel are investigating what happened with the system to ensure it does not occur again.

We thank the first responders who were quickly on the scene, as well as our parents who patiently waited until we could reopen the campus.