Students allowed to leave Mandarin High after reported threat

One student at Mandarin High said they endured a "miserable" day after a reported threat forced students outside for the majority of the day.

Students sat outside at the football stadium in 91-degree heat while authorities were at the school to check on the reported threat. Entrances to the school were blocked off and parents were not allowed to pick up their children.

Students were finally released around 2:20 p.m.

A Thursday morning message sent to parents from the Duval County Public Schools said all students and staff have been evacuated and are safe.

Students reported that they sat in the bleachers for hours at the football stadium. In a message sent to parents, the school district said they are providing lunch and bottled water.

There were multiple fire trucks and ambulances at the school during the day while students were sitting on the bleachers at the football fields. Several students told Action News Jax that water was in short supply on a day when the high temperature reached 91 degrees.

One student reported to Action News Jax that backpacks were checked on Wednesday morning when students entered school.

This is the second time in the 2018-19 school year that classes have been disrupted. In September, some students were reportedly sent a text message in reference to a threat of a school shooting.

Action News Jax reporter Christy Turner is on the scene and will be Tweeting information.

Cox Media Group