Lawrence High School in Fairfield and the other schools in School Administrative District 49 were again closed Monday after a social media post raised concerns about the safety of students and staff members, police say. SAD 49 closed its schools Thursday and Friday following the mass shooting Wednesday night in Lewiston that left 18 people dead and 13 injured. Above, Lawrence High School, photographed in April 2019. Morning Sentinel file
FAIRFIELD — Schools in the Fairfield area were closed for another day Monday after a social media post drew concerns about the safety of students and staff members, police said.
School Administrative District 49 closed its schools Thursday and Friday following the mass shooting Wednesday night in Lewiston that left 18 people dead and 13 injured.
A post Sunday to the SAD 49 Facebook page drew the attention of police, so the district’s schools were also closed Monday as a precautionary measure, according to Casey Dugas, the public information officer for the Fairfield Police Department.
Classes at Kennebec Valley Community College and the Kennebec Montessori School, both in Fairfield, were also canceled Monday.
The Police Department later posted to its Facebook page that investigators did not have enough time Sunday to assess the seriousness of the post so officials asked that classes be canceled Monday.
“We believe that the posts are concerning, but currently there is no indication of an imminent threat to our schools or community,” Fairfield police wrote on Facebook. “The investigation is continuing.”
The comment posted Sunday claimed the man who was responsible for the Lewiston shootings had an accomplice who was planning to target Lawrence High School.
SAD 49 Superintendent Roberta Hersom said the district is working with law enforcement agencies, including Fairfield police and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, to investigate the matter.
“The safety of all people in our schools and on our campuses is our highest priority — our buildings will continue to be secured and our staff will continue to be vigilant,” Hersom wrote in an email.
Hersom said SAD 49 classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday with a heightened police presence at the district’s schools.
SAD 49 enrolls students from Albion, Benton, Clinton and Fairfield.
Classes at KVCC and the Kennebec Montessori School are also expected to resume Tuesday.
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