KITTERY, Maine — Police and school officials are on alert as the school year concludes, considering threats made by a former Traip Academy student that he would harm teachers and staff on the final day of classes.
Police were out in force at the school’s graduation Friday and will be a presence at Traip on Thursday, the last day of school.
“We’ve told all officers to be on heightened awareness,” said police Chief Theodor Short, and additional officers will also be “visible” at the school itself.
Last January, the School Committee expelled a 17-year-old senior after he threatened to kill students and staff at the end of the year. He also faced criminal charges of terrorizing. The teenager told other students not to come to class on the last day of school. After a student told school resource officer Rachel Horning about the comment, she and detective Raymond Hazen launched an investigation that ended in the criminal charges.
The School Committee expelled the student Jan. 27.
Superintendent of Schools Allyn Hutton said Tuesday the school staff are “vigilant and alert” as the year ends. “We’d rather be overcautious,” she said.