Manchester High closes after shooting threat
May 12—MANCHESTER — Manchester High School closed this morning before classes began after the school received a threat of a shooting.
Students and parents were sent an email from Superintendent Matthew Geary before 7 a.m. that said Manchester High School and Bentley Academy, both located in the same building, would not open for classes due to an "unforeseen circumstance."
No other schools in the district were closed this morning. Howell Cheney Technical High School was closed this morning, but staff from the school's main office said the closure was a result of a staffing shortage.
Geary wrote in a follow-up email this morning that the building closure was a result of an email received by the high school principal earlier that said a shooting would take place that day.
Geary said administrators decided to close the schools after consulting with Manchester police based on the nature of the threat and the time officials were made aware.
"My top priority this morning was preventing students and staff from coming to the building and clearing staff already in the building out of MHS and Bentley," Geary said.
Geary said several after-school activities are planned at MHS today, and the schools will reopen Monday with extra security.
"As a precaution, all student bags will be searched on the way into the building and there will be extra police presence in the building," Geary said.
Geary said police have begun an investigation into the source of the threat, and officials have to take care to get accurate information out in a timely manner without compromising police investigations.
"We continue to prioritize student and staff safety while also trying to plan for the reality that threats of this nature can come in at any time and, in addition to causing fear and anxiety, are highly disruptive to the education of our students," Geary said.
Manchester High School has faced a number of safety issues during the 2022-23 school year, including two other email threats.
In September, students and staff went into lockdown and were dismissed early after the school received an email from an anonymous account stating: "I have a gun and ready to hurt people, plus explosives."
In October, the building was evacuated after the main office received an anonymous email of a bomb threat that did not include any details, but wrote: "take me seriously."
In January, a 16-year-old student was arrested and expelled after they were found in possession of a stolen, loaded handgun in the high school parking lot.
In February, school officials said access to high school bathrooms was being restricted after a fight took place in a boys bathroom, and in response to issues with vaping and vandalism.
Joseph covers Manchester and Bolton for the Journal Inquirer.
