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PERTH AMBOY — In light of Monday’s school shooting in Ohio, city Schools Superintendent Janine Walker Caffrey had planned to have a security meeting this week to review procedures.

Instead Caffrey got a firsthand demonstration of district procedures Tuesday, when a bomb threat was reported at Samuel E. Shull Middle School on Hall Avenue.

As a precaution, the school’s more than 1,300 students in grades five to eight were evacuated to the nearby Perth Amboy High School while a regional task force of canine officers from the State Police, the Middlesex County and Union County sheriff’s offices, and NJ Transit checked the three-story brick school.

City Deputy Police Chief Benjamin Ruiz said the regional task-force members are able to cover the whole school quickly and efficiently.

“They prepare for these types of situations,” he said.

No explosive devices were found.

A notice about the threat was posted on the district website, and messages were left with students’ telephone contact numbers alerting parents that a regular dismissal was anticipated.

Nonetheless, a steady stream of parents, some double-parked in front of the high school, showed up to take their children home. Caffrey estimated that about 75 students had left by about 12:15 p.m.

Michelle Lucas of Perth Amboy walked to Shull after receiving a phone call from her 11-year-old son about the bomb threat.

“I got scared,” said Lucas, who wanted to see what was happening. “It’s scary for the kids.”

Security personnel stood in front of the school as police blocked nearby streets to prevent people from walking through the area until it was deemed safe.

Students returned to Shull sometime after 12:30 p.m., officials said.

Officials responded to a report of a “vague” bomb threat about 9:05 a.m.

Ruiz said a note was written on a wall in a bathroom.

A student reported the finding to school officials.

“Mrs. Morgan took it seriously and followed the protocols in place,” Ruiz said, referring to Shull Principal Lorraine Morgan. “The students all responded well. The evacuation of the building went well.”

At the high school, the middle school students assembled in the cafeteria, where they were served lunch or snacks.

“The high school has been incredibly supportive and hospitable,” Caffrey said at the high school. She also complimented the Police Department for its partnership in caring for the district’s students.

Kenneth Puccio, Board of Education vice president, praised Caffrey’s response.

This is Caffrey’s first year as district superintendent.

“She takes this stuff seriously,” said Puccio, who added that Caffrey is a hands-on administrator who went to the high school to check on the students.

While the students’ safety is the first priority, Caffrey said, the district would like to find out who is responsible for the bomb threat and hold the person accountable.

Source: My Central Jersey .com staff reporter
10:53 PM, Feb. 28, 2012