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A male caller telephoned the high school's main office and told a receptionist that there was a bomb in the building at approximately 11:40 a.m., officials report.
The caller mentioned the rooftop of the school, according to police.
School faculty and staff evacuated about 250 students from the building, which resulted in the interruption of final examinations and Regents tests; the students were ushered to predetermined evacuation locations, officials report.
Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies deployed two bomb-sniffing dogs, and the MTA Railroad Police provided three additional canines in sweeping the campus for explosives, according to police.
Authorities checked the interior and rooftop of the main school building, two other buildings and parking areas adjacent to the school, officials report.
Authorities did not find any explosives or suspicious objects in the search.
An all-clear was given at about 1:30 p.m., and students were then allowed back into the classrooms to resume the scheduled testing, officials report.
The school district sent an email alert to students’ parents to apprise them of the bomb-threat and resulting evacuation.
Sheriff’s investigators are working with school officials to identify the person who made the bomb threat.
Anyone with information that may help investigators is asked to call 845-225-4300.
All calls will be kept confidential.
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