Superintendent reports homecoming events, helicopter visit; board thanks first responders after hoax call at Madison Southern

Superintendent Neely reported a series of school events for the week, including homecoming parades and athletic activities at Madison Central and other schools, and described a medevac helicopter demonstration arranged by Ignite South for students and first responders.

Neely said the helicopter visit included local police, EMTs, ambulance crews and firefighters who explained their roles during emergencies, and called it an educational “show-and-tell” for students. "I had no clue... 90 pounds," Neely said, describing how heavy firefighter gear felt when she tried it on, a detail she used to underline the physical demands of first responders.

Separately, the superintendent and board members thanked first responders for their rapid response to an incident at Madison Southern earlier in the day. Neely said state police, local police and fire units—"over 30 folks"—arrived within minutes after a phone call that proved to be false. A board member reiterated appreciation for the rapid response and said the district treats all such calls seriously.

Why it matters: The helicopter demonstration and the school response show the district's ties to first-responder agencies and its emphasis on safety awareness for students. The quick multi-agency response to the hoax call also highlights local emergency readiness.

What the board said: During board comments, members emphasized student and staff safety and thanked the resource officer and attending emergency personnel. The board described the hoax as a “meaningless phone call” that nonetheless required a full response.

Next steps: No new safety policies or formal directives were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt; board members expressed gratitude and said the district will continue prioritizing safety.