GRAY – A bomb threat that caused the evacuation of Gray-New Gloucester Middle School at 11:10 a.m. on Oct. 25 remains under investigation by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, the SAD 15 board learned this week.
The incident was also reported to the state Department of Education.
The district has a lengthy bomb-threat procedure adopted by the board nearly two years ago. The plan outlines evacuation and re-entry procedures, command and control leadership, and communications and parent notification, for example.
Superintendent Victoria Burns said students were safely brought to the nearby high school and little instructional time was lost for roughly 600 students. A makeup day is not recommended, she said.
The middle school was reopened at 1 p.m. but students were sent home after collecting personal belongings.
“I want to express my appreciation to the middle school staff, high school kitchen workers, high school administration and transportation for rolling up their sleeves’ and putting the needs of the children first during the stay at the high school,” Burns said.
And, shortly after the bomb threat was reported, a loss of electricity at the high school and Russell Elementary School in Gray occurred.
Staff continued instructing school for part of the day without electricity keeping a positive attitude helping children maintain their routine, Burns said.
Last week Maine’s Department of Education conducted a review of SAD 15’s self-assessment methods that are part of the district’s implementation of the state’s Learning Results.
Burns said teachers and administrators participated in the day-long session on Oct. 27.
“Challenges facing the district include the workload that is challenging to everybody,” Burns said. “Constraints are time and money,” she told the board. SAD 15’s curriculums can be found on the Internet and are aligned with Maine’s Learning Results. Student management systems are in place. The district’s current graduation requirements will also be reviewed.
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