For Immediate Release

Monday, April 8, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Statement of North Middlesex Regional School District Leaders

No Threat or Danger to the Community after Verbal Dispute Among Small Group of Students Last Week

TOWNSEND – North Middlesex Regional School District Superintendent Brad Morgan and High School Principal Isaac Taylor seek to update the public on a dispute between a small group of students that escalated into rumors on social media late last week.

There is no danger to the school district. There have been no threats made against the school district. 

School officials, working in partnership with the district’s school resource officer, have concluded that a verbal dispute between two students escalated when one student allegedly threatened to physically harm the other. That situation has been resolved consistent with the district’s code of student conduct.

However, rumors circulated on social media in recent days indicating that a student had made a so-called “hit list” and intended to commit a violent act at the high school on Monday. This rumor was untrue, and Superintendent Morgan and Principal Taylor caution members of the community that while the school district takes all rumors and threats seriously, there is absolutely no indication of any sort of threat against the school community whatsoever.

Separately, school district leaders also wish to let the community know that what appears to be a home arts and crafts project was mistaken for a suspicious item left by a student in a classroom today. A high school faculty member reported to the school resource officer today that a soda can with its lid cut off with a plastic bottle and plaster inside was located under a desk in a classroom. The SRO investigated and the Townsend Police and Fire Rescue departments determined that the item was not dangerous and not a threat to the school.

“The events of this past week should encourage us all to take pause and thoroughly consider what we read and post on social media,” Superintendent Morgan said. “There is no ongoing threat or danger against our school community. The safety and welfare of our students is paramount and comes first at all times.”

If anyone has any questions or concerns, they are always urged to contact district leadership:

Superintendent Morgan
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 978-597-8713 ext. 1201

Princpal Taylor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 978-597-8121

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