(This story has been updated to include additional information from the Rowan-Salisbury School System)

SALISBURY —  School officials notified Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies of a bomb threat at 12:27 p.m. Friday that caused evacuation of all students and staff from East Rowan High School.

Rowan-Salisbury School System Director of Communications Michelle Shue confirmed the incident in an email.

“After a threat was communicated, school administration and law enforcement were immediately alerted and the threat was investigated while students were evacuated to the football field,” Shue said.

Due to the heat, the students from East Rowan were moved into the cafeteria and gym at Erwin Middle School.

“Local agencies in collaboration with Cabarrus County’s K-9 team searched the campus thoroughly,” Shue said. “At around 2 p.m., law enforcement determined that the East Rowan campus was safe for students to return to class and continued instruction and a normal dismissal this afternoon.”

According to investigators, deputies and K-9 units from the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad made a complete sweep of the school and nothing was found.

“We in the Rowan-Salisbury School System hold the safety of your children as our number one priority,” Shue said. “Evacuations are unsettling for all involved, but taking the time to ensure the safety of our students is our first essential task. We appreciate all that you do as parents to support the education and safety of all East Rowan and Erwin students and working together allows us to provide the very best for our community. Your students were wonderful throughout this process this afternoon, and we appreciate their patience and cooperation as we navigated this process. “