Rutland schools, Porter Elementary placed on lockdown during Skipper Road search
District officials said the school day continued as planned once the lockdowns were lifted.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Schools on the Rutland campus and Porter Elementary School were placed on lockdown Friday morning as law enforcement conducted a search in the Skipper Road area, according to the Bibb County School District and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.
Rutland High School and Rutland Middle School were advised by Campus Police to go into lockdown after the sheriff’s office notified officials of a search underway. The lockdown was lifted about 10 a.m.
According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, a call was made to the Macon-Bibb E-911 Center at 8:20 a.m. regarding a report of a person with a firearm in the area of Goodall Mill Road at Jones Road. Deputies conducted a search of the area but made no contact. The sheriff’s office said the lockdown has since been lifted and all students and staff are safe.
“The safety of students and staff is a top priority for our district, and Campus Police officials have been present at the Rutland Middle/High complex throughout the morning to provide support,” the school district said in a statement.
An initial alert was sent to Rutland parents at 9:01 a.m., informing them that the campus was in lockdown while law enforcement responded to calls prompting a search of the area. A follow-up message at 9:13 a.m. said all students and staff were safe and that it was safe to allow students arriving by bus or carpool to enter the building. Parents were notified at 10:01 a.m. that the lockdown had been lifted and normal operations would resume.
For reference, high school classes begin at 7:30 a.m., elementary school at 8:20 a.m., and middle school at 9:05 a.m.
Additionally, Porter Elementary School, located at 5802 School Road, was placed on a precautionary lockdown around 9 a.m. A precautionary lockdown limits outdoor activities while normal operations and classroom instruction continue indoors. The school resumed normal operations about 10 a.m.
District officials said the school day continued as planned once the lockdowns were lifted.
