September 16, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – This morning, a potential threat was identified through the voicemail system at Badger Middle School.
According to West Bend Police, “The West Bend Police Department was contacted immediately and, out of an abundance of caution, coordinated a thorough search of the school and surrounding property with school personnel and a K9 unit from the Cedarburg Police Department. The West Bend Police Department confirmed that there was no threat on campus.
We take any potential threat to the safety of our students and staff very seriously. At no time during this incident was there a threat to student safety. As a precaution, students remained in their second-period classrooms while the search was conducted.
The precautionary hold began at approximately 9:30 a.m. and lasted until 10:59 a.m. The school was not placed in a formal lockdown.
The West Bend Police Department maintains a zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats of violence within our school system. We encourage everyone to remember: See Something, Say Something. If you see or hear something concerning, please report it to a school staff member or law enforcement.
We appreciate the assistance provided today by the Cedarburg Police Department and the West Bend School District.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the West Bend Police Department at (262) 335-5000.”
According to the West Bend School District, “
What Happens on a Hold
When a school is placed on a hold, students remain in their classroom area, out of the halls, and continue instruction. The hold is complete when the “all clear” is given. This is quite different from a “lockdown.” To become more familiar with the terms used in the district’s Standard Response Protocol terms and our safety practices, please review the Safety and Security portion of the website.
The procedure was used at Badger middle school today. With messages going directly to Badger families to alert them to the hold and then as follow up when the hold was released.
Initial message:
In an abundance of caution, Badger Middle School is currently in a hold. Students are safe in their classrooms with staff. We are working closely with the West Bend Police Department and will provide an update when the hold is lifted. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Follow-up Message:
This morning, a potential threat was discovered on the voicemail system at Badger Middle School. The West Bend Police Department was contacted immediately and, out of an abundance of caution, coordinated a thorough search of the school and property with their personnel as well as a K9 unit from the Cedarburg Police Department. The West Bend Police Department confirmed that there was no threat on campus.
We take any threat to the safety of our students and staff—credible or not—very seriously. At no time during this incident was there a threat to student safety. Students remained in their second period of class for the additional time. The hold began at approximately 9:30 a.m. and lasted until 10:59 a.m. The school was not placed in a formal lockdown, classes continued.
We appreciate the West Bend Police Department and all it does to support the students, staff, and families of the West Bend School District. We also appreciate the assistance provided today by the Cedarburg Police Department.
The investigation is ongoing and any inquiries should be forwarded to the West Bend Police Department.
In situations such as this the District and administrators work directly with law enforcement and communicate as much as they can when they can.”