Schools

SVSD Staff Warned of Alleged Threat Against Schools

Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin told district staff of a threat allegedly made against 27 Lehigh Valley schools by a man who is receiving a mental health evaluation, according to a published report.

Editor's Note/Update: Saucon superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin was contacted by email for additional information, but declined further comment for this story.

Saucon Valley School District superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin said she didn't want to create hysteria, but rather be diligent, in an email Tuesday that told district staff of a threat allegedly made against 27 Lehigh Valley schools by a man who has since been institutionalized, according to an article published by the Express-Times.

The alleged threat of a massacre by jihadists at a school is currently being investigated by the Lehigh County District Attorney's office, and although some area districts dismissed it, Fellin told staff in the email to be vigilant, the article indicated.

One Saucon Valley parent said she decided to keep her children home from school Wednesday after reading the Express-Times article, which also indicated that local police would be stepping up their presence in and around the schools this week.

It was not clear how the Express-Times obtained the internal memo, but the parent who contacted Patch said she was dismayed by the fact that she learned of the report through the media, and that "the school did nothing to notify the parents."

As of late Wednesday morning there was no notification posted on the school district website's homepage.

What do you think? Should the Saucon Valley School District have notified parents that extra security precautions were being taken this week, whether the alleged threat was deemed credible or not? Tell us in the comments.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here