There Was No Threat At Algonquin Regional, Despite Rumors

NORTHBOROUGH, MA—Suspicions, nerves and attentiveness is at an all-time high following our country's latest school shooting tragedy.

In Massachusetts alone, authorities have chased down a number of alerts and perceived threats at schools since the Florida incident.

The first day back to school after winter break, several posts peppered social media on Monday morning concerning the rumor of a possible threat to students at Alqonquin Regional High School. Several posted that they had heard of a student posting a threat via YouTube against the school.

Both Northborough Police Chief William Lyver and Superintendent Christine Johnson confirmed that any such rumors are completely unfounded.

"I have been in communication with Principal Walsh and any suggestion that a threat occurred is unfounded and a rumor that is not accurate," Johnson told Patch. "There was no threat. There was no arrest."

Johnson said police, including Chief Lyver and Chief Paulhus, were in a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday morning, one to periodically review student and school safety readiness.

"Our safety school readiness procedures have been shared routinely," said Johnson, "including at each drill that is conducted and in a lengthy communication to all parents at the beginning of the school year. We continue to place school safety at the highest level of importance and respond to any credible threat with appropriate and immediate action."

Lyver confirmed to Patch that any reports of a threat were completely unfounded.

Photo Credit: Charlene Arsenault