Berkeley High School reacted after receiving an online threat Thursday for a potential school shooting.
Principal Erin Schweng sent a notice out to parents Thursday afternoon informing them of the alleged threat made in an online post. Whether or not it was credible, the school closed all entrances except the main office and placed additional safety staff around the perimeter, she said.
She said that sadly, there have been a string of false alarms throughout the nation following the tragedy in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14, but “despite the high likelihood that today’s threat will not materialize, we nevertheless have to respond immediately with appropriate resources.”
“My aim is not to be alarmist, but simply to let you know that we are taking this matter extremely seriously and prioritizing student safety over all,” she wrote.
Schweng notified the school resource officer and said the school is working with Berkeley police.
As a precaution, starting Friday, the A gate on Allston Way will remain closed during instructional hours.
A second notice went out to parents later on Thursday, letting them know that school would continue Friday as planned. She also said there was no new information on whether or not the threat was credible.
A lockdown drill is planned for next week at the school.
On Wednesday, Berkeley Unified School Board members approved of $2 million for a School Safety Project, which would add “Columbine locks” –locks installed in classrooms that allow them to be locked from the inside, and named after the 1999 Columbine High school deadly shooting.
Other improvements include new fencing and gates, security cameras, security lighting, alarm/paging and public address systems, and classroom upgrades such as window coverings, according to the district. The funding, which would come from Measure I bond, is also expected to hire an architect and engineer for a more comprehensive scope of the project.