Students at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School were dismissed at lunchtime today because of a reported “threat.”
Haverhill Police Capt. Robert P. Pistone confirmed school officials were alerted by a student about the threat. Because the matter is under investigation, the exact nature of the risk was not disclosed. Pistone, however, said it isn’t believed to be “credible.”
“We’re working with State Police to use K9 units to sweep the building,” he said, Coincidentally, other local and state K9 units were already in the area for a training exercise, he added. Haverhill firefighters also sent trucks to the school.
Superintendent Maureen Lynch released a statement around 12:30, Monday.
“This morning, school staff were alerted to a threatening message inside a boys’ bathroom,” she said. “Students were dismissed early today out of an abundance of caution, though school leaders have no reason to believe there is any imminent danger to students or staff.”
School administrators notified the Whittier Vo-Tech School Committee in advance of the planned dismissal.