Manchester Elementary goes into a 'soft' lockdown

April 24, 2025

Clay County's largest elementary school went into a soft lockdown Thursday morning, according to Superintendent William Sexton.
A potential threat was reported at Manchester Elementary as the school district investigated the incident. Sexton said, "The situation was determined to be a hoax, and there was no credible threat to our students or staff."
The following statement was released by the district.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I want to inform you about a school incident today. Out of an abundance of caution, we initiated a soft lockdown due to a reported potential threat. During this time, students remained safely in their classrooms while our School Resource Officers (SROs) and the District Safe Schools Team thoroughly investigated.

I’m pleased to share that the situation was determined to be a hoax, and there was no credible threat to our students or staff. Once the matter was resolved, we promptly returned to our regular schedule.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priority. We understand that situations like this can be concerning, and we are committed to keeping you informed and supported.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

Sincerely,

Mr. William Sexton