Massena schools increase police presence after bus comment deemed not a threat

Massena Central School increased police presence at its schools on Oct. 30 after a student reported a possible weapons threat on a district bus the previous day. The school resource officer and Massena Village Police Department investigated and concluded the incident was not a threat, school officials said.

School officials said a student told high school administrators that another student pointed toward a book bag while telling a third student not to come to school the next day. Administrators notified the school resource officer and treated the report as a possible threat.

The district said additional police presence was provided because some students who witnessed the exchange might have been concerned about returning to school. Officials also praised the student who reported the incident.

Massena Central School District policy prohibits weapons on school grounds or school buses, except for law enforcement or people with written permission from the Board of Education. The district serves the Village of Massena and parts of several surrounding towns. Massena Village Police and the district have an agreement for a school resource officer signed in February 2024.

The district’s anonymous alert option is available for safety concerns. The Massena Police Department’s non-emergency number is 315-769-3577. Public comment on the district’s 2026-27 safety plan may be sent to District Safety Team co-chair Alan Oliver at aoliver@mcs.k12.ny.us.