GRAY – Gray-New Gloucester High School students will make up lost academic time from two bomb threats in November during two early release days, the school board decided on Wednesday.

Superintendent Victoria Burns said the high school had to evacuate students three times, on Nov. 15 and 17 for bomb scares, plus a recent threat on Dec. 4 after academic school hours. That time is not required for make up, but impacted after-school activities.

High school students will make up the lost academic time on Dec. 11 and Jan. 29.

Costs for the extra bus run to pick up high school students totals $800 per make up session, Superintendent Victoria Burns said.

The threat also impacted other costs, for example, the school lunch program. Prepared food had to be disposed on Nov. 15 when students were sent home early.

High School Principal Paul Penna said an ongoing investigation conducted by school personnel and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department is coming up with leads on the three incidents. He told the board that juveniles are suspected of causing the threats that resulted in the evacuation of roughly 700 students and personnel while the sprawling building complex was searched by bomb-sniffing dogs.

In other business, the board approved a new speech-and-language position for Gray-New Gloucester Middle School.

Special Education Director Erin Chase told the board that an educational technician III is now qualified to take on the position rather than shift staff and hire outside contractors to provide needed services to students.

The funds to pay for the position will come from the unfilled slot and be offset by the current pay for the educational technician. The difference needed is $4,570, Chase said.

A similar position is yet to be filled at Dunn Elementary School where a large caseload of students is being serviced by staff shifting schedules to meet students’ needs. Outside contractors are also providing services to students. The board received a resignation from the therapist in September following a leave of absence for medical reasons.