Students, faculty and administration at Central High School (CHS) experienced higher levels of security Monday following a threatening photo on social media that warned people to not attend CHS Monday. CHS Principal John Long, in a statement posted on the school’s social media page and in letters delivered to students’ parents, noted that area authorities were on scene at the school Monday and put safety Measures in place for students and staff.

“There was an added police presence at Central High School after police and school officials learned of a threatening photo posted on social media warning people not to go to school at C.H.S.,” the statement cited. “School officials and local authorities took every necessary precaution to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff. The safety and security of our students is our No. 1 priority.” Long said the school division and sheriff’s office received the notice of the potential threat Monday morning.

“We were made aware of a threatening post that referred to a school named CHS just before students arriving this morning,” Long said in an email. “The local authorities and school officials responded immediately once we were aware that potential threat existed. Until we are certain of the nature of a threat we take every precaution.” Long said metal detectors were on-site. “Everyone arrived at the normal time today,” Long said in an email Monday. “Students went through the metal detector as a precaution and this caused students to get to first period late. As a result we used our one hour delay schedule today to make sure that the students got to go to all of their classes.”

Long said following an investigation, the nature of the post appeared to have originated in New Mexico on April 5. “The student has since been apprehended by the police,” Long said.