Earlier today, Maquoketa Community School District implemented a shelter-in-place based on information provided by the Maquoketa Police Department. This decision was made out of caution, with the safety of our students and staff as our top priority.
We are grateful for the prompt communication and support from the Maquoketa Police Department and partnering law enforcement agencies. Their collaboration allowed district leaders to make informed decisions throughout the situation and ensured safety remained at the forefront.
The individual referenced in the police department’s press release is not enrolled in Maquoketa Community School District.
We recognize that situations like this are concerning for students, staff, families, and our community. We appreciate the patience, understanding, and cooperation shown by families throughout the day.
We are extremely proud of our staff for their calm, professional, and timely response. Organizing dismissal for hundreds of students is a significant responsibility—particularly when identification must be verified—and our staff handled this process with great care and commitment to student safety.
District administrators remained in consistent communication with law enforcement, allowing us to adjust plans as information became available and to err on the side of caution. This partnership is essential during safety situations, and we are thankful for the strong collaboration.
As with all safety-related events, we will reflect on today’s experience to identify strengths and opportunities to continuously improve our processes. Each situation is unique, and learning from real events helps strengthen our preparedness moving forward.
Thank you to our students, staff, families, law enforcement partners, and community for working together to keep everyone safe.
Tara Notz, Superintendent