Bomb threat empties Newark High School

On March 21 around noon, a student discovered a message implying a bomb threat. The message was written in the stall of the girls bathroom at Newark High school.

She alerted a hall monitor who informed Principal Gary Grant. After looking at the message, Grant contacted Newark police as well as School Superintendent Robert Christmann.

Within minutes, Newark police officers, including Chief Richard Bogan, Sgt. Tom Smith and Investigators Gary VerStraete and John Clingerman, Christmann and other administrators, arrived at the school.

Following State Education Department guidelines, all exits in the building and all hallway and paths leading to the schools designated evacuation site, which is the bus garage on Woodlane, were searched. Bus garage personnel were alerted that plans were underway for a total high school evacuation to their site. Handicapped accessible buses were dispatched to pick up handicapped staff and students to take them to the evacuation site.

When it was determined that it was safe to exit the building, students and staff were told to leave the school immediately through the designated evacuation exits, announced over the public address system by Grant.

With all staff and students out of the building, a thorough search of the school and grounds began by the police, with the assistance of NHS Assistant Principal Robert Speciale and volunteer staff members who are familiar with the building.

Meanwhile, District Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics, Mike Canale, told students and staff at the bus garage of what was happening. Assistant Principal Michelle Stone arrived at the bus garage and assisted Canale. Students were told they would be returned to the school as soon as it was safe to do so. The school search lasted 45 minutes.

After students returned to the building, an emergency assembly was called. Grant thanked students for their cooperation in helping to make the evacuation a smooth one. He said the incident was 'offensive to the entire school community.'

VerStraete outlined the consequences of making a false bomb report, which is a Class E felony. The investigator called on members of the student body to supply police or school officials or both with any information about who is responsible. Newark District had not received a bomb threat in more than four years.

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