Bomb scare temporarily closes Vale Middle & High Schools

VALE — A bomb scare closed down Vale Middle School and Vale High School on Tuesday morning, according to a release from Superintendent Alisha McBride. Students were evacuated from the premises and relocated to Vale Elementary school after a handwritten note was found in the Middle School that indicated a bomb might have been located in one of the classrooms. Following a search, law enforcement secured the building, and no explosives were found. The high school and middle school campuses were reopened for session. Find Superintendent McBride’s full letter below:

(Released by Vale School District Superintendent Alisha McBride)

April 8, 2025

Dear Vale School District Families,

This morning, a handwritten note was found in Vale Middle School indicating there may have been a bomb in one of the classrooms. Out of an abundance of caution, all Vale Middle School and Vale High School students and staff were promptly and safely relocated to Vale Elementary School.

These types of threats are taken very seriously. The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office was immediately notified and began a thorough investigation of the potential threat. Following an extensive search of the school campus, law enforcement has determined the threat to be not credible. The Vale Middle School and Vale High School campuses have been deemed safe.

We want to commend our students and staff for their calm and cooperative response during this situation. Regular safety drills help prepare us for incidents like this, and today’s response was a clear example of those preparations in action. The reunification process went smoothly, and we are grateful for everyone’s patience and support.

We encourage parents and guardians to talk with their children about the seriousness of these types of threats and the potential consequences they carry. While this incident turned out to be a false alarm, it disrupted the school day and caused concern for many in our schools and community. We understand that events like this can be unsettling. Counseling staff and the School Resource Officer are available to support any students or staff members who may need someone to talk to in the days ahead.

We appreciate the understanding, cooperation, and support from our families and the broader Vale community. The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority, and we will continue working closely with law enforcement to ensure a secure school environment.

Thank you again for your cooperation and partnership.

Sincerely,

Alisha McBride, Ed.D.

Superintendent

---

---

• 
• 
• 

---

• 
• 
• 

---