East Greenbush schools to remain in lockout after two threats in two days

East Greenbush schools will be in a secure lockout every day until further notice, the district announced on Tuesday after receiving threats for two days in a row.

Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Simons said in a letter to parents that the district will continue to start each day with a lockout “out of an abundance of caution.”

He added that the district is prepared in the event that circumstances change and the district has to shift to stricter emergency response protocols.

“It is understandable that students, staff and families may feel unsettled, scared or frustrated by the events of this week or all of the above. I share these feelings with you. I will never understand why some people want to scare or hurt kids and educators,” he said in a news release.

The lockout was implemented due to another threat on a voicemail at Goff Middle School. Students were asked to remain in classrooms and there were no outdoor activities. No outside visitors were allowed.

This follows similar procedures put into place on Monday.

East Greenbush Detective Sgt. Mike Guadagnino said a garbled call came into one of the nurse’s offices today and that is why the district implemented the lockout.

There will also be an extended police presence in the district and the investigation will continue by local, state and federal authorities.