Safety precautions taken at Madison Elementary School Thursday morning after report of juvenile carrying rifle in the area

The Madison Elementary School went into a “perimeter secure” status for a short time Thursday morning.  Madison Central Superintendent Joel Jorgenson notified parents just after 10:30 Thursday morning that the “perimeter secure” was put into place because of a situation taking place with law enforcement on Highway 81.  Jorgenson said that “perimeter secure” is when all of the school’s exterior doors are locked and there is normal in-building activity.  

Madison Police Chief Justin Meyer said that law enforcement had received a report of a juvenile male carrying a large caliber rifle in the area of Highway 81 and Northwest 9th Street, and the school was placed on “perimeter secure” as a precaution.  

Meyer said that when officers arrived, the young man was found to be in possession of an air rifle and stated that he was hunting rabbits.  He said there was never a threat to the public, and that the elementary school was then returned to normal status.  

Superintendent Jorgenson said that the safety of the students is always the district’s top priority.