Waterford High students dismissed following bomb threat

Waterford — A bomb threat against Waterford High School on Thursday morning prompted the evacuation and eventual dismissal of students.

A call came into the school at 7:29 a.m. from someone making a bomb threat.

Classes were in session at the time. Students were evacuated and initially held on buses while Waterford police and K-9 units from the Mashantucket and Mohegan tribal police departments and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital inspected the school. Staff and students were brought to the field house after police and the K-9 units inspected and cleared that area.

Police inspected the entire high school and did not find any suspicious packages or devices, deeming it safe for occupancy, but are continuing to investigate the threat with assistance from the State’s Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement officials.

Superintendent Thomas W. Giard III, in consultation with school staff and the police chief, made the decision to send students home for the day.

“Due to the students being evacuated initially in inclement weather, we made the decision to dismiss students early based on the well-being of our students and staff,” Giard said in an email to parents and staff just before noon Thursday.

All classes, including online ones, were canceled for the rest of the day. The school will reopen today, Giard said.

Anyone with information about the threat is asked to contact Waterford Police Investigative Services at (860) 442-9451 or the anonymous tip line, (860) 437-8080.