Photo submitted St. Marys Police Chief Todd Caltagarone along with Randy Schlimm, SMASD police officer and Erie Police Dept. K-9 Officer Jason Morell and Rocky the bomb dog conduct a search throughout St. Marys Area High School following a bomb threat discovered last Friday indicating Thursday as the target date.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

St. Marys Area School District personnel worked along with St. Marys Police and other law enforcement on Thursday in securing St. Marys Area High School following a bomb threat indicating November 5 as the target date.

According to St. Marys Area School District Superintendent Ann Kearney, the decision was made to search all students entering the building on Thursday morning with a detection wand. This step was taken as  a precautionary measure after consulting with St. Marys Police Chief Todd Caltagarone.

On Thursday morning, the building was cleared following a safety check conducted at 6 a.m. by agents from the Erie City Police Department Bomb Squad and accompanied by K-9 Officer Jason Morell and Rocky the bomb dog along with a Hazardous Devices Technician.

The bomb threat was discovered last Friday evening and was written on the wall of a high school restroom. St. Marys Area High School Principal Josh Williams along with Randy Schlimm, district police officer, viewed surveillance tapes on Saturday morning.

The students from the surveillance tapes were identified and interviewed on Monday and Tuesday.

Also present during the morning search were law enforcement officials from Millcreek Township Police, Erie International Airport Authority Police and four officers from the St. Marys City Police Deptartment. Joining them were administrators, guidance counselors, teachers and staff, all of whom worked together to check all students entering the building.

“We take the safety of our students very seriously and  is our primary concern at all times,” said St. Marys Area School District Superintendent Ann Kearney.

The school district is offering a reward for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

“Our school district will not tolerate threats,” Kearney said. “We will work with law enforcement to identify the individuals responsible for this disruption of our students' school day and we will prosecute those responsible."

Parents and students are asked to keep a keen ear and notify the authorities if they become knowledgeable about any information concerning this incident.

Those with information pertaining to the incident are encouraged to contact the Elk County Crime Stoppers at 1-877-255-2030, the St. Marys City Police Department at 781-1315, the Pennsylvania State Police at 776-6136 or the St. Marys Area School District at 834-7831.

Making a false bomb threat is a federal offense punishable under U.S. Code 18-884 (e) with a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine or both. This penalty also applies to juvenile offenders.

"I want to commend the high school staff and students for their calm demeanors and willingness to work with district leadership and law enforcement during this search,” Kearney said.

An emergency team combed through the building following emergency procedures and conducted a threat assessment according to protocol.

On Wednesday afternoon, the emergency team along with administrators, Aramark staff, school personnel and volunteers searched the building and secured the areas with locked gates.

After Thursday’s search was completed students were briefed by Williams and given instructions to go to class. Williams announced to students that “we are here for teaching and learning but the safety of each and every student is first and foremost. We will keep this a safe learning environment.”

Class resumed at approximately 8:50 a.m.