By Anthony Rifilato
Police are not releasing the student's name because of her age, although one source said that she also has been suspended from school for the remainder of the year. The investigation at both schools is ongoing, police said.
The arrest follows two bomb threats in one week at the middle school, the first to occur at that building. A source said that the girl was only charged with one threat, however, and it is unclear if another student was responsible for the other hoax. There was also a threat found written on a bathroom wall at the high school last week, although police say that the middle school and high school incidents are unrelated.
"There is absolutely no connection," said Det. Sgt. Roy Gorddard. "It's not a copycat."
Police and school officials would not comment on the arrest at press time, though both have said in the past that an aggressive investigation was underway at both schools.
At a PTA Candidate's forum on April 3, school board members Mary Jo O'Hagan and B.A. Schoen said that letters are being sent out to the community about what is being done to address the rash of incidents [See story, page 1].
The high school has also added security cameras, while both schools increased personnel and teacher visibility in the hallways.
At the middle school in particular, students must show an ID card to use the bathrooms - which are closed during passing classes - and students must also have a pass from their teacher when attending extra help in the morning before classes start.
The disturbances have interrupted instructional time and extracurricular activities on occasion, and parents have said that they - as well as their kids - have been frustrated by the disruptions to the school day, although they believe the district has taken appropriate action.
"The general consensus is that we do support the steps the administration has taken," said Middle School PTA Co-president Mary Kelleher. "It's disheartening that our kids do not have the freedoms they should have because of a few individuals."
As of Friday, Kelleher said she hadn't heard about the arrest, but said that students need to come forward if they have information.
"As with any crime, someone knows something and that's how they're going to get caught," said Kelleher. "The kids have to come forward with information."
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