NORRIS CITY, Ill.--The Norris City annex school (alternative learning school) is on lockdown this afternoon while a situation with an employee is being investigated.
According to officials with the White County Sheriff's Department, an employee at the annex school was sent home from work today for undisclosed reasons. The employee was not identified by name or gender, nor was the employee's position at the school given.
This employee was "believed to have had suicidal thoughts" at the time of departure from the school. Because the employee resides in Harrisburg, Saline County authorities were notified that the employee might need help with mental health issues.
Saline County put out a dispatch to look out for this person, as it was believed the employee might have a gun with him or her.
As a result of the potential for the employee to come back to the annex school in an attempt to talk to his/her employers, the school was placed on lockdown as a precaution for the students. Students are not allowed to leave the campus right now; the lockdown will extend to the end of the school day, at which time the students will go home as usual.
The other schools in the area--NCOE grade school and high school--are not impacted by the lockdown.
When we learn any update, we'll bring it. Mark the page and keep checking back.