Marlboro Parents React to Marlboro Memorial Threat

In the hours after a scare prompted by a suspicious note in Marlboro Memorial School, parents are reacting to the district and township response to the incident.

Students were evacuated from Memorial a little after 12 p.m., and the first robocall from the Marlboro Police Department was received around 12:50 p.m.

Marlboro-Colts Neck Patch published the original story of the threat was published at 11:43 a.m.

A call to parents was made again around 2 p.m., letting parents know Memorial students were being brought back to the school from Marlboro Middle School.

Residents receieved the call from the Marlboro Township SWIFT 911 alert system, not the district notification system.

Sharon Witchel, Director of Special Projects and School/Community Relations said if parents are wondering why a district notification was not sent out, they can call the Administration offices.

"They can certainly call us for that information if they want. Our primary responsibility is to make sure the students and staff our safe."

The Marlboro Township school district updated its Facebook page and website, letting parents know after school activities remained scheduled. 

Marlboro parents responded on the Marlboro-Colts Neck Patch Facebook page, many saying they heard the news from others.

Maria Barbiere-Sparacio said, "Some residents got phone calls some did not and not allowing children to be released to their parents is plain WRONG!!!"

Lisa Cohen Schutzer said, "The only issue was reading about what happened on Patch over an hour before we received the call from the school. I not sure if that is because the automated system takes a long time to generate the calls or if there was a delay in making the calls."

Dalorady Boccardo Jegou said she thought the situation was dealt with well, but "Whoever did that needs consequences. Real ones. Not a slap on the wrist.

Jodie Rouff Berger said, "Just picked up my sick son from Marlboro Elementary and there were NO security or police there!! That scares the crap out of me!!"

Jodi Zolkin Kiste said, "I totally agree the township was taking every precaution by evacuating the children but to find out by the patch and have no official notification until almost an hour and half later is unacceptable."

Tell us: was the "suspicious note" incident handled well by the district?