ALEXANDRIA — You've heard of snow day makeups, but Campbell County students may have to make up a bomb-threat day.

        Five bomb threats since Sept. 11 have Campbell County High School officials so concerned they are considering extending the school year to make up for the lost classroom time.

        The latest bomb threat, made Tuesday, stopped classes for 3 1/2 hours as bomb-sniffing dogs searched.

        The first threat was made Sept. 11, but was followed by two last week, one Monday and one again Tuesday.

        “Someone is trying to disrupt the educational process,” said Chris Gramke, community relations director for the district. “No explosives have ever been found, but we have lost a total of about a day of classroom instruction.”

        In West Clermont School District schools in Ohio in 2000, an extra 5.5 hours was added to the year to make up for four bomb threats at Amelia High and Middle schools. Glen Este High and Middle schools made up 3.5 hours for two threats at those schools.

        The student who made the first bomb threat at Campbell County High, in the form of a note scrawled on a bathroom wall, was identified.

        Mr. Gramke said the student is subject to expulsion, pending a hearing.

        The four threats that followed appeared to be acts of a copycat. All but one was found written on a bathroom wall in similar fashion, Mr. Gramke said. School officials hope a letter home will help them catch the culprits.

        “Parents, please discuss this serious problem with your child,” Principal Anthony Strong writes in the letter. “Initiating a bomb threat of any kind is a violation of state law, punishable by one year in jail and a $500 fine. We are enlisting your help in gathering information, which may assist us in bringing an end to his serious situation.”

        By law and according to district policy, the high school must evacuate the building after each threat, Mr. Gramke said. He said even before Sept. 11, 2001, schools were taking such threats more seriously in the aftermaths of schools shootings.

        Mr. Gramke said the district is pursuing options to recover lost instructional time including lengthening the school day, adding school days to the calendar, or relinquishing a scheduled day off.

        “Although any option chosen will inconvenience many of us, we fell strongly that lost instructional time must be made up,” Principal Strong wrote. “The easiest option might be to lengthen the school year at the high school by one day as we have almost lost that much instructional time.”

        Anyone with information is asked to call the school at 635-4161 ext. 1191.

        E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com

Judi shows grit, grace
Vine St. Kroger to get a face lift
Cuba has taste for Kentucky funnel cakes
Sabis school stays open, defying education officials
Threats could add extra day to school
Breast cancer numbers raise hope
Former Reading mayor's killer gets 81 years in prison
Haughty foes call the other naughty
Obituary: Arthur Laurens, boosted Commons efforts
Police seek robbery, rape suspect
School bond advice: Seek input
Sharonville officer still in hospital after crash
Tristate A.M. Report
Urinals among Cinergy memories
BRONSON: Lord's Gym
GUTIERREZ: Perspective Hillbillies can't go to Hollywood
HOWARD: Some Good News
KORTE: City Hall
SMITH AMOS: More than a touch-up
Ex-Harveysburg official sentenced for welfare scam
Franklin schools prepares for strike
Homework Club is a hit with students
Leadership Warren Co. members announced
Investigators given name of source in Patton investigation
Bookmark your calendars: Library returns Oct. 13
Driver escapes police after chase
Heart-attack fighter at schools
Kentucky News Briefs
St. E's heart care tops -- again