BY MATT HERSH

School officials are on high alert after teachers at Salem High School found a series of notes threatening that an act of violence will occur on Friday, April 20.

The school will remain open, but police presence will be increased, students will not be allowed to carry backpacks and only two entrances will be open when the day starts.

Superintendent Michael Del-ahanty said the first note was discovered by a teacher around 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17.  A short time later, more notes were found, also threatening violence.

Though he would not comment on where the notes were found at the school, Delahanty said he believes they were all written by the same person.

Delahanty said school remained open, the police were notified, and an investigation was started with the hopes of finding out who was behind the notes.

Throughout the course of the school day, three assemblies were held to inform students about the situation. Administrators also asked that anyone with relevant information come forward.

Delahanty said the decision to remain open for class on April 20 sends a strong message to students, and perhaps the note writer.

“It’s important that we’re not held hostage,” he said.

Despite his assertion that there is no reason to close school, Delahanty said he expects attendance to drop on that day.

A letter drafted by Delahanty was sent home with students, informing parents about the situation and what officials plan to do. The letter is currently posted on the district’s Web site.

The threat came only a day after a student at Virginia Tech University killed 32 of his classmates and himself in a shooting rampage. 

The notes also threaten violence on the anniversary of the Columbine High School shootings, which occurred on April 20, 1999.

School resource officer Matt Norcross said he hasn’t experienced a threat like this firsthand during his time at Salem High School, but he’s taking the notes very seriously.

“You could have a person who is just looking for attention but you could also have a person who is mentally unstable who is seriously considering doing something,” he said.  “Better safe than sorry.”