A “threatening message” written in a lavatory prompted Pentucket Regional High School, to evacuate students Tuesday afternoon at 1:25. West Newbury Police gave the all clear at 3:45 p.m.
Students were instructed to leave backpacks in the cafeteria. Those who took backpacks outside were instructed to leave them outside at a designated spot by the history wing. According to Principal Jonathan Seymour, some students who remained at school were allowed to claim their belongings. Other students will be able to pick up their things Wednesday. The high school serves Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury.
“Local police and school administrators followed established evacuation protocols to ensure the safety of students and staff. Students were dismissed from school at the usual time while the school safety check was underway,” said Jeffrey J. Mulqueen, superintendent of schools.
The original message from Seymour, emailed to parents, did not detail the circumstances.
“At approximately 1:25 today the high school was evacuated to conduct a precautionary building safety check. At this time students are outside the building with their classroom teachers while the building check is conducted.”
Police said there is an ongoing investigation into the source of this lavatory writing.