MONTICELLO – Due to a generalized bomb threat that was received via email on Friday, December 1, by Monticello Central School District’s Superintendent Matthew T. Evans, the school buildings were safely evacuated as the threats were later discredited.

According to administration, the threat was sent en mass to numerous districts throughout the nation.

The Superintendent promptly initiated the emergency response procedures at the five school buildings within the district. 

According to these preparations, every school in Monticello was to be evacuated.

Law enforcement agencies were contacted right away to help the staff with the student evacuation and reunion. Students throughout the district sheltered in multiple places, including the Monticello Fire Hall and the Monticello Raceway. Officers carried out a comprehensive K9 unit sweep and concluded that staff and kids could safely return to the schools on Monday.

“While our safety plans are meticulously detailed for situations like these, we have identified a few areas to improve evacuations and reunifications in the future. These occasions compel us to trial our plans and reflect on their effectiveness,” Evans said.

Administrators were set to meet yesterday, Monday, December 4 to discuss the topic.

As a result of the debunked threat, counselors will be on hand to assist any students who request them.

“I was not willing to risk harm to any student or staff member by keeping them in school and without conducting sweeps of our schools,” said Evans. 

“I am grateful to our families for their patience today, as our staff worked diligently to ensure more than 2,700 students made it home safely under stressful conditions.”

“I am also grateful for the prompt response and work of our law enforcement partners, and our local reunification sites for access to their grounds and facilities,” Evans said.