Texted by her daughter about a bomb threat at Clarkston High School, a concerned parent was surprised when the school was not evacuated.
‘Nancy Mahoney, one of the assistant principals gave me this whole song and dance about they didn’t think it was a credible threat. There had been a conversation on facebook and they talked to the kid who had been responsible for posting this bomb threat and this kid was expelled, said the parent who wishes to remain anonymous. ‘I’m sorry but my child’s life and every other child in that building is not worth messing with because the administrators don’t think it’s credible.?
When Clarkston News called to speak with Mahoney, she directed questions to the school’s Communications and Marketing Director Anita Banach.
According to Banach, the school received calls between 7-7:05 a.m. March 19 from parents concerning a bomb threat made through Facebook.
‘The student who made the threat was identified and immediately brought to the office for questioning,? Principal Licata wrote in a e-mail sent to parents. ‘Our police liaison officer was involved and the parents/guardians were immediately called and came to school. Through the statements made by the student and our police/administrative investigation, the threat was deemed ‘non-credible.??
As a precaution, Banach said they did a ‘full perimeter search? of the school within the first 10 minutes of the start of the school day, which included checking all bathrooms and trash receptacles.
Banach said police dogs were not called in because the threat was deemed ‘non-credible,? by the school’s liason Officer Gary Crake, who knew the student.
‘We’re all kind of trained in it, custodians, administrators, and key staff members,? she said.
Banach noted it is school policy to only release students from the school if the threat is deemed ‘credible.?
‘Regardless if they think it’s credible or not, kids should be removed from the building until they are absolutely 100 percent certain,? said the concerned parent. ‘I think the school district needs to have some checks and balances.?
Banach said the student, who was expelled for the threat, has already posted on his Facebook, that the message was not intended to be real, but only a joke.
‘As you know, Facebook is not used here at school and is blocked by our district server. I am pleased with the parents and students who took swift action and alerted our building administrators to this type of behavior,? Banach said. ‘Any type of threatening action towards our school or classmates will not be tolerated.?
Clarkston News requested the Facebook message, Banach said they did not have the message, but the police may release the report. Independence Township substation said they did not have a report as of yet.