Student Could Face Charges in Mount Everett Bomb Threat
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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — School officials say a student responsible for Friday's hoax bomb threat that caused the evacuation and closure of the Mount Everett Regional School campus has been removed from school.
In a message to the school community on Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent of Schools Beth Regulbuto wrote that the investigation had been completed.
"Our school administrators and the Sheffield Police Department questioned witnesses and the student. A confession was obtained, and the student has been removed pending disciplinary action and evaluation. The Sheffield Police will be acting in accordance with Massachusetts General Law and the District Attorney's Office to determine the appropriate charges to be filed."
The bomb threat was brought to the attention of school officials Friday morning and the high and middle school and the attached Undermountain Elementary School were evacuated. Students were taken to nearby Berkshire School, according to the school district's safety protocols, and then dismissed as soon as their regular buses arrived. All after-school activities were canceled.
The grounds were searched by local and state police and the Sheffield Fire Department and the area determined to be safe shortly before 5 p.m. The other two elementary schools in the South Berkshire Regional School District were not affected.
The threat was determined to be a hoax and school started as usual on Monday, although school officials were making plans to speak with students about the incident and provide supports.
"As with all matters of student safety, we have taken this very seriously and have acted accordingly, utilizing both school system disciplinary recourse and the juvenile justice system," Regulbuto wrote.
The superintendent said a safe and secure learning environment was a priority and she thanked the staff and students who provided information leading to the student's apprehension.
"Only by working as a school community can we create and maintain the level of safety that we want for all," she said.
Tags: Mount Everett, SBRSD, school closures, threats,
