UPDATED: Boonton HS dismissed after Internet 'threat'

Boonton High School students were dismissed Friday morning due to an "unsubstantiated threat" that students saw on a social media app, according to district Superintendent Christine Johnson.

"Students here and from other school districts saw something posted on a website that indicated some sort of general threat," Johnson said. "They kids did exactly the right thing and informed the principal."

Boonton police were immediately contacted, and they contacted county officials, Johnson said. By 10 a.m., the building and campus were empty of students. One police car was parked outside.

"Police confirmed the threat was unsubstantiated and nonviable, but some of the kids were getting nervous, so I made a judgment call," Johnson said about the dismissal.

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Students from the private Craig School, which uses space at Boonton High School, also were dismissed. Other Boonton public schools remained open, including nearby John Hill School.

Parents were informed of the dismissal through the Honeywell Instant Alert system by phone, email and text alert. Lincoln Park students were bused home. All Boonton resident students walk.

The threats were said to be posted on Yik Yak, an application for mobile devices that offers users a localized mobile forum, popular with students, to post anonymous "yaks" that are "upvoted" or "downvoted" with comments. Users earn reputation points, known as "yakarma", the more upvotes they receive.

All after-school activities and athletic events were canceled for Friday. Saturday sports events are expected to take place as scheduled, Johnson said.

Boonton police did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-428-6627; wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com.