November 15, 2022
Sanford School Community,
At approximately 8:20 a.m. Tuesday morning, Sanford Police received a call that there was an active shooter dressed in a black coat and black pants with a long rifle on the first floor of Sanford High School and Sanford Regional Technical Center.
The Sanford Strategic Response Team responded immediately, and emergency procedures were activated and followed. Law enforcement agencies, including the Sanford Police Department, found the threat not to be credible. Several other Maine school districts received the same non-credible threat after the Sanford School Department. Information was shared by the school department as it was verified by local law enforcement. Unfortunately, misinformation may have been shared by others that unintentionally increased concern.
Following our safety protocols, students were evacuated and bussed to Memorial Gym to be released to parents/guardians or transported home.
Due to today’s events, classes at Sanford High School/Sanford Regional Technical Center will be canceled Wednesday, November 16th. However, the school will be open for students to pick up items and school counselors will be available from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for all SHS students.
For those students interested, transportation to SHS/SRTC will be provided on a two-hour delay schedule with lunch provided. The SRTC Pre-K will not be in session on Wednesday.
School will be in session on Wednesday for students in grades Pre-K through 8th, including Bridge school as scheduled. Classes at Sanford High School/Sanford Regional Technical Center will resume Thursday, November 17th. We will have increased police presence at all of our schools.
Student and staff safety is the Sanford School Department’s top priority. Although the threat was deemed not credible, there are strong emergency plans at all schools where our protocols are practiced and refined.
We’d like to commend our students, staff and first responders for their incredible bravery today.
Thank you,
Matt Nelson
Superintendent of Schools