Clarion High School remained in a modified lockdown Friday after it was discovered several students’ Google accounts had been hacked.
According to Clarion Area School District Superintendent Joe Carrico, it was discovered Thursday afternoon that someone had hacked into student accounts and posted “offensive messages.”
“There was some threatening language that prompted us to call the police,” he said. “It was not a specific threat.”
“We suspect it is a student,” he said.
An e-mail was sent to parents on Thursday night, Carrico said, advising them that if they were not comfortable sending their children to the high school that they could remain at home.
Carrico said a partial lockdown means once students are in the building the exterior is secured. Access to the building is restricted.
After consultation with police, it was decided to keep the school in a modified lockdown on Friday until the person who created the comments has been identified.
Carrico said a police presence was to be maintained Friday at the school building through dismissal.
Carrico noted at no time was there mention of the elementary school or elementary students in any of the comments or threats.
“This was exclusive to the high school, and particularly to one grade level,” he said. “The Clarion Borough police have been very supportive. The state police are also involved with the investigation.
“At this point this is a criminal matter.”