Threat, bullet found at Homewood-Flossmoor High School

FLOSSMOOR -- Classes are scheduled to meet Friday at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor despite the discovery of a bullet and note threatening a shooting.

The note, along with the handgun bullet, were found by a student in a bathroom in the high school's South Building at 6:30 a.m.Wednesday.

School officials assessed the situation before alerting parents, staff and students Thursday morning of the threat and the decision to keep the school open Friday, school officials said.

"We take all threats very seriously," Principal Von Mansfield said. "After assessing the situation and speaking with local authorities, we determined the building will be open with an increased police and security presence."

The school's standard security presence includes seven police liaison officers.

Flossmoor Deputy Chief Mike Pulec said police are examining a video of students who entered and exited the bathroom before the note was found.

The school is offering a $500 reward for information about who is responsible for the incident.

Staff was made aware of the situation through an internal e-mail. Students were alerted upon arrival to school Thursday by an announcement from Mansfield.

Parents were notified Thursday morning via a new $9,000 instant alert system the high school purchased last week.

Mansfield said the high school has received feedback from parents, some supporting and some questioning the decision to keep the school open.