Newton North evacuated after bomb threat

Newton North High School was closed Wednesday after a teacher found a note outside the school's front entrance threatening that a bomb was in the building.

Police and firefighters swept the school, but found nothing of concern.

Superintendent Jeff Young was upset and frustrated by the Wednesday morning threat.

"It's unfortunate to me that people feel … whether it's a child or an adult … feels it's a way to get attention," he said.

This is the third time in a year that local officials responded to a Newton North bomb threat. On Feb. 1, Principal Jennifer Price had the school evacuated after police in Lowell received a bomb threat for Newton North. Then, on April 9, the Newton North main parking lot was evacuated after four black bags used in a guerilla-marketing scheme were found hanging from fences and trees in the area.

Young said at a morning press conference that this was the first time in 10 years he had to close Newton North.

Shortly after 6 a.m., a teacher entering the 360 Lowell Ave. building found a bomb threat note in the front entrance. Although city officials would not comment on what the note said, they indicated that its language justified closing the school for the day.

"This note contained additional language that raised the ante for us and made it feel that it was an even more serious situation," Young said.

Teachers already at the school were informed over the intercom system to evacuate the building, and students were told to go home. Bus drivers were radioed to turn around en route or told to pick up students at the school to return them to their rightful stops.

Parents were informed of the school closing through Connect ED, an automated phone message system.

Police and the city would not comment on whether a suspect has been found.

"Right now the police are following all leads, but the investigation is continuing," said mayoral spokesman Jeremy Solomon.

Lt. Alan Leone, the fire department's communication director, said that when a verbal or written bomb threat is made, the decision to close or evacuate the building falls on the school's principal.

"They would make the decision on how they would want to proceed," Leone said.

Price was not available for comment at the TAB's deadline.

All afternoon and evening activities were cancelled as well. The high school will reopen on Thursday morning.

Students will have to make up the missed school day at the end of the year.

Leslie Friday can be reached at lfriday@cnc.com.