MASON CITY, IA - Leaders at Mason City High School tell KIMT, they're happy to report, aside from low attendance, Friday was a smooth school day.
"I'm pretty confident that after the work we've done this week, and some of the extra time people have put in, that we have a safe and secure learning environment for our kids at Mason City," said principal T.J. Jumper.
Many Mason City High Schoolers took Friday off after administrators found threatening graffiti in two bathrooms over the past week, but what started as a scary situation, is actually improving school safety.
Administrators are searching bags at the door, patrolling bathrooms and hallways, and requiring backpacks stay in lockers.
Principal Jumper says that's a positive in this ordeal, as many of the new policies are here to stay.
"Some things we see that we'd like to continue doing until further notice, some things we may continue doing throughout the rest of the year even."
School leaders are also clearing up some of the rumors surrounding this week.
They say, no, there has been no new staff hired to “amp up” security.
As for the rumor that another bathroom was closed Friday, they say that's partially true, but it's just due to low attendance, and both the school district and Mason City police say that no one is in custody because of the events this week.
