Holyoke high school students were evacuated this morning, after the report of a bomb threat. Superintendent Stephen Zrike says school leaders immediately notified the Holyoke Police Department, and after conferring with them, he decided to evacuate the school as quickly as possible. He then dismissed all Holyoke High students and non-essential staff early.
“Our first step was to ensure the safety of all students by evacuating the building in an orderly manner and to work with the bus company to arrange for transportation for all students. Special education staff immediately began to call parents of students with disabilities who need special transportation. As soon as those steps were underway, I recorded and sent a voice message to parents of Holyoke High students.”
Zrike says city police officials worked closely with school and district staff to clear the building and sweep it for bombs, and they found no evidence of a public safety threat in the building.
“We will continue working with police to ensure that the high school is ready to re-open in January and to identify the perpetrator.”
Zrike asks that anyone with information about the hoax call the Holyoke Police Department.