A bomb threat forced the evacuation of Col. John Siegfried Elementary School May 23 in Northampton Area School District.

The threat was phoned in at 11:30 a.m. May 23. District police, Borough of Northampton police, state police and Borough of Northampton firefighter responded and did a search and sweep of the building and grounds. No bomb was found.

Approximately 900 students and 75 staff walked to Northampton Area High School, where they waited in the gymnasium, NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph Kovalchik told a reporter for Northampton Press following the May 23 board of education meeting.

Students and staff returned to the Siegfried building about 2:15 p.m.

The bomb threat was one of several called in May 23 to schools in California, Colorado, Utah, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, as well as in the United Kingdom.

Some news reports stated the threats were made as a “robo-call,” or automated phone message.

According to a statement from the FBI in Washington, D.C.: “We are aware of recent bomb threats at various schools in different states, and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance if needed. As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”