Students Stay Home, School Day Goes By Without Incident Despite Threat

A "vague" threat found scribbled on a Cranford High School classroom desk upped police security at the school and convinced almost half of the student population to stay at home on April 7.

Superintendent Gayle Carrick lauded the collaborative effort between school officials and the Cranford Police Department in light of the vague threat indicating a possible event at CHS on April 7.

Though she said approximately 48 percent of students were absent that day, the safety of faculty and students was not in jeopardy.

"We had the safest high school in North America today," she said at a Wednesday night open agenda meeting.

Those CHS students who attended regular class sessions on April 7 met what Carrick called a "visible presence" of Cranford officers and Union County Prosecutor's Office personnel. The day passed without incident.

The threat message was found scribbled on a Cranford High School classroom table and in a Jonathan Dayton High School bathroom stall earlier this week. Both indicated there would be an incident at the schools on April 7.

Springfield's message, according to an official source, was "April 7, 2010, there will be an event to remember."

School officials from both towns called the messages "vague." They have yet to release the exact wording found at CHS.

Carrick was unable to give specific details due to an ongoing investigation. She also expressed concern that providing further details about the school's effort to ensure safety could undermine future efforts.

There have been no arrests in connection with this incident.

Editor's Note: This story is developing. Check back for more information as it becomes available.