SABATTUS — Students in Regional School Unit 4 will return to school Monday after investigators concluded that a threat made against Oak Hill Middle School on Thursday was not credible. District administrators closed all schools on Friday at the recommendation of law enforcement.
In a letter sent to the school community Friday afternoon, Superintendent Andrew Carlton wrote that an investigation by law enforcement found that the threat was, “created through false information that was spread through various social media outlets.”
The Sabattus police were assisted by officers from the Androscoggin County and Kennebec County sheriff’s offices, according to a message from Sabattus town manager and acting police chief Timothy Kane.
“They were able to determine false statements were made with the sole purpose to incite panic and fuel the rumor mill,” Kane wrote. “Our law enforcement teams are continuing to investigate the issue, as well as those who feel they can hide behind social media, posting false, deceitful, and damaging information towards others.”
The investigation found the Thursday threat was not connected to the altercation Tuesday night at Oak Hill Middle School between two students, one of whom was in possession of a weapon.
“We encourage all our RSU #4 families to refrain from conversations regarding various incidents that create rumors with false information,” Carlton wrote.
He encouraged parents to talk with their children about threats to commit school violence. “Stress to your children that reporting could be life-saving,” he wrote.
While Carlton did not disclose the nature of the threat in his message to the community, he specifically referenced school shootings.
“In the past, from other school shootings, individuals involved usually shared their plans before they acted on them,” he wrote. “Therefore, it is critical that you also encourage your children to report, to the appropriate authorities versus engaging in online conversation, any threats they hear about so that any tragic situation can be prevented before they have a chance to start.”
If any student is feeling uncomfortable returning to school on Monday, the parent should reach out to their school counselor for help. School buildings will be open Saturday and all previously scheduled events will go on as planned, weather permitting.
Bekka Madore of Sabattus said she was supportive of the superintendents actions in response to the threat.
“As a parent in the RSU 4, I think our superintendent Andy Carlton is doing an amazing job at keeping our children safe and their wellbeing as his main concern,” she said. “Honestly, we couldn’t ask for a better man for the job. We live in very scary times and our children’s safety is the most important thing right now. I hope this stays an isolated incident and that more parents become more active with their children’s social media.”
A letter written Friday by Region School Unit 4 Superintendent Andrew Carlton to the school community to share that an investigation found that a threat to the middle school was found to be not credible.
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