Islander Middle School evacuated over threat, but building found to be safe

MERCER ISLAND, Wash. -- Police said they evacuated Islander Middle School on Wednesday after they were notified of a bomb threat found on a note.

A search of the building deemed the school safe and "the investigation into identifying the responsible party is ongoing," police said in a news release.

On Dec. 15, the Mercer Island School District canceled classes at nearby Mercer Island High School and all after-school and athletic activities "in light of the three separate student-initiated threats at MIHS in the past few weeks."

The district said there was no "viable safety concern" for Dec. 15 but it was canceling classes and activities anyway to allow "MIHS students and staff to regroup."

"District and MIHS administration will use this time to collaborate with staff on ways to address these situations," the district said in its message to parents. "We will also strategize on how to educate our students on the legal implications and extreme disruption these threats cause."