A telephone threat Monday morning of a bomb at Groveland’s Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall School brought swift evacuation of staff at the elementary school, but was determined to be unfounded.
Groveland and school officials said an administrator shortly after 8 a.m., at Bagnall School followed normal opening procedures and discovered “a nonspecific bomb threat” on the school’s voicemail. Following protocols, administrators notified the Groveland Police Department and the school building was evacuated as a precaution and prior to the arrival of students and school buses.
Groveland Detective Adam Sanborn was credited with “his quick response and assistance in identifying the individual responsible,” but details were not immediately released.
“Safety is always our top priority,” said Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen in a statement. “The quick actions taken by school administrators and responding agencies allowed us to investigate the threat thoroughly before students arrived. We are grateful for the cooperation of the school district and the public, and we are confident there is no ongoing risk to the community.”
School buses were rerouted off-site and remained there until the Groveland Police Department issued an all clear.
Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Jennifer Barreto thanked police. “We understand that this incident may have been troubling for our students and families. We would like to thank the community for their patience and cooperation in allowing us to execute our procedures, which were put into place with the safety of our students in mind,” Bartholomew said in a separate statement.
Besides Groveland Police and Fire Department, mutual aid was provided by Topsfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police, Merrimac Police and Fire Departments and surrounding area public safety agencies.