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Lockout lifted at two schools after Orlando police investigate suspicious package

By Chip Skambis
By Chip Skambis

ORLANDO, Fla. — A "lockout" has been lifted at two Orange County schools after Orlando police investigated a suspicious backpack left near a high school, officials said.

Boone High School and Blanker Elementary were on lockout as police investigated, officials said.

Police began investigating the suspicious package left near Boone shortly after 8:30 a.m.

Police said the lockout was a precaution.

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According to Orange County Public Schools, the suspicious backpack was near the 800 building on Boone's campus, prompting that building to be evacuated.

During the investigation, principal Dusty Jones said in a phone call to parents that students are safe and that the school hopes the situation is resolved soon.

"At Boone High School today, there was minimal disruption to FSA testing and the school day but in the best interest of students we have a contingency plan in place at the school so that students have the opportunity to test without distraction," said Shari Bobinski, OCPS spokeswoman. "If something unexpected happens during testing the district always make adjustments to best meet the needs of our students."

Cox Media Group

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