This is Chad Kempton, Principal at Gardiner Area High School. First, I want everyone to know that everything is ok here at school.
This morning when I arrived at school, I was notified that a parent had called to report an online post about a possible threat that involved Gardiner Area High School. I immediately involved Chief Toman and the Gardiner Police Department, who have participated in investigating this report to see if there was in fact a valid threat.
We were able to quickly locate the online post and identify the students associated with this situation. After interviewing these students and several others that were in the classroom where the comments were reported to have been made, I am pleased to announce that there was no threat. The situation was the result of a student hearing part of a conversation between two other students, who were talking about the school shooting in Florida during a moment of silence we had on Thursday morning. I can assure you that between school administration and Gardiner Police Department, all students and staff are safe, no one is in danger, and there is no threat to the school.
We will continue to be vigilant in our duties and responsibilities in regards to keeping students and staff safe in our schools. If you hear anything of concern that pertains to any of the schools in MSAD11, please contact the administrator of the school, and/or the Gardiner Police Department. Working together is the best approach to keeping our schools and communities safe.