NORTHAMPTON — Police are investigating a bomb threat against Northampton High School, made by a student in a group text message on Tuesday afternoon, and classes are scheduled to take place as usual on Wednesday.
Students sheltered in place for the final 90 minutes of the school day, starting around 2 p.m. when officers were first dispatched to the school at 380 Elm St.
“School officials followed protocol and with the assistance of Northampton Fire Rescue and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, ensured that it was safe for students to exit the building,” Northampton Police Capt. Victor Caputo said in a statement.
Students started to leave the building around 3:25 p.m., five minutes before dismissal.
Emergency personnel were still on scene at 4 p.m., according to Caputo.
Interim Superintendent Jannell Pearson-Campbell wrote in a letter to the community that “all appropriate authorities” were called “as a precaution” and high school administrators implemented the protocol for a bomb threat.
“A threat assessment has been conducted and the District has been instructed that students and staff may return to the building tomorrow morning,” Pearson-Campbell wrote. “Additional communications will be made to the school community as this situation unfolds. Please rest assured that the safety of all our students and staff is our top priority.”
The district is planning to hold “a discussion with our educators and a brief meeting with our students” on Wednesday, the letter reads.
The School Committee is planning a special meeting on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., to be held virtually via Zoom.
The police and school district wrote in their public statements that students left the building at 3:45 p.m. Asked for clarification, Pearson-Campbell said 3:45 was a typographical error.