Ansonia schools were closed on Tuesday after a student reported an anonymous post on the After School app from someone who wrote he or she was tired of being bullied and threatened to shoot "it" up, according to police.
On Tuesday night, the district said all Ansonia public schools will reopen on Wednesday on a regular schedule.
“It’s time to get back to normal," said Ansonia Police Chief Kevin Hale. "We’re going to have an increased presence tomorrow.”
The city put all four of its schools on lockout at 1:15 p.m. on Monday and canceled all after school activities for the day after learning of the potential threat, according to a statement on the school department website.
Some parents were upset that they were not told until late Monday that there was no specific target in the threat. The threat, eluding to bullying and a shooting, was posted online on the AfterSchool app in the morning.
“I shouldn’t have to text all my friends that are parents in the school system to find out what’s going on," said Loni Lymus, who has a son that is a first grader in Ansonia.
Dr. Carol Merlone, Ansonia's school superintendent, said the post was made in reference to Ansonia High School, though police said it was unclear which school might have been the subject of the posting.
Merlone also apologized to parents about how long it took for information to be released. She vowed to work with police to always communicate as quickly as possible.
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On Monday, police responded to all Ansonia schools to ensure students were safe as they were being dismissed and all students were dismissed without incident, police said.
Merlone decided to close all Ansonia Schools and said the decision was made " in conjunction with law enforcement."
A Facebook post on the Ansonia Public Schools page on Tuesday morning said the school district, Mayor David Cassetti and Police Chief Kevin Hale are inviting parents to a brief community update at the beginning of a special Board of Aldermen meeting at 7 p.m. at the Ansonia High School.
"The update concerns the reported threatening incident that occurred yesterday afternoon. In an effort to keep you informed and our children safe, this update will provide you with the latest information available.Please make every effort to attend this important community update at 7 p.m. in Ansonia High School, and of course the special meeting of the Board of Aldermen regarding the budget," Merlone wrote in a statement.
Dan Corcoran contributed to this report.
