UPDATE: Ansonia Schools to Reopen Wednesday

Updated at 7:03 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2016: Ansonia schools will reopen on schedule Wednesday morning, according to a post late Tuesday afternoon on the district's website by Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone. She added, however, that there will be an increased presence of law enforcement officers at all four schools:

Ansonia Public Schools will reopen all of its schools on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 and will operate on their regular schedules, according to Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone. However, additional security measures will be in place tomorrow and through the end of the week.

“After a careful review of the facts, the Ansonia Police Department has informed me that our schools can reopen on Wednesday,” Dr. Merlone stated. Police officers will be present throughout the day at every school.

A community update will be made tonight at 7 p.m. at Ansonia High School, 20 Pulaski Highway, by Police Chief Kevin Hale, Mayor David Cassetti, and Dr. Merlone. The update will focus on the investigation into an “anonymous threatening statement” made on a social media site and discovered early Monday afternoon.

“I have been in constant contact with Police Chief Kevin Hale and with Mayor Cassetti,” Dr. Merlone said. “We will continue to work as a team to ensure that all of Ansonia’s students and staff have the highest level of security as the investigation into this incident continues. Additional information will be shared on our website, Facebook page and by School Messenger as new developments arise. I appreciate the cooperation of our parents and community members.”

Updated at 11:21 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2016: Ansonia government, police and school officials hold a community forum this evening, May 24, to discuss the circumstances surrounding the decision to close schools Monday afternoon and Tuesday, following an unspecified threat on social media.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Ansonia High School; below is the announcement from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carol Merlone:

On behalf of Mayor David Cassetti, Police Chief Kevin Hale, and our school district, we want to invite you to attend a brief community update at the onset of our special Board of Aldermen meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Ansonia High School. The update concerns the reported threatening incident that occurred yesterday afternoon. In an effort to keep you informed and our children safe, this update will provide you with the latest information available.

Please make every effort to attend this important community update at 7 p.m. in Ansonia High School, and of course the special meeting of the Board of Aldermen regarding the budget.

Thank you.

-Dr. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of Schools.

Original story: ANSONIA, CT - The undisclosed threat that closed Ansonia's schools Monday afternoon continued to reverberate Tuesday, as officials closed schools on Tuesday.

In a statement on the district's website, Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol Merlone said a decision on when to reopen the schools will be made in conjunction with local police.

"Our top priority after being notified about this 'concerning statement' was communicating with law enforcement in order to keep all students and staff safe," wrote Merlone.

On Monday afternoon, all four of Ansonia's schools were placed on "lockout" following "an 'anonymous concerning statement' made earlier [Monday] on a social media site regarding Ansonia High School." Police assisted with regular dismissal at each school, after school activities were cancelled and no one was allowed back into the buildings.

Officials said that "there was no direct threat made" to anyone, but the situation prompted an immediate police investigation which continues today. The New Haven Register reported the ominous message was sent via the After School app.

"A decision about when we will reopen schools will be made in conjunction with law enforcement, and we will be updating our website and Facebook page regularly," wrote Merlone, adding that "due to the sensitivity of the subject matter," the district cannot provide additional information at this time.

She closed her statement by thanking parents and the community "for remaining supportive and understanding."