Abington Addresses Increase in Reported Threats at Woodsdale and Middle School
District partners with Abington Police Department to investigate incidents and implement safety protocols
ABINGTON - March 25 - The Abington School Committee addressed a concerning increase in reported threats at Woodsdale Elementary and the Middle School during their regular meeting March 25.
Committee Chair Chris Coyle opened the meeting by acknowledging the rise in safety-related incidents, particularly at these two schools, and emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
"We as a committee have been seeing a rise in them. We want to be able to address it as best we could and try to speak to a way to maybe curb it, curb away from it," Coyle said.
Superintendent Dr. Felicia Moschella provided additional details about the district's response to these threats.
"We absolutely have seen over the last few weeks an increase of reported threats, both at the Woodsdale and the Middle School," Dr. Moschella said. "Each time a threat is reported, we have an obligation to trigger a number of things."
The district follows a specific protocol when threats are reported. First, administrators determine the validity of the threat and whether students and staff are safe. If they are safe, the school enters an investigatory mode. If not, safety protocols are immediately initiated.
Dr. Moschella emphasized the district's close partnership with the Abington Police Department.
"We work very closely with the Abington Police Department to ensure the safety of our students within the school and in their homes," she said. "If there's a threat to commit a crime or a threat to use a weapon, then we're contacting the Abington Police Department and they determine what their response will be."
The district's administration investigates all threats to determine the circumstances that led to the incident. Consequences vary depending on the situation, ranging from counseling and parent meetings to detention and suspension.
"I'm not going to tell you that every time a student makes a threat, they're automatically suspended, but I can tell you that students are suspended, they do have detention, and everything in between," Dr. Moschella explained.
Parents are always contacted, both the parents of whoever made the threat as well as parents of those the threat was made against. When appropriate, the community is notified that an incident has occurred.
"Part of that reason for notifying is really so that you can have conversations with your children at home around what is appropriate behavior at school, what you need to report, and also to make sure that you know that we know," Dr. Moschella said.
She acknowledged that while these notifications can be unsettling for families, it's important for parents to know when incidents occur.
Dr. Moschella also expressed gratitude for the district's partnership with the Abington Police Department, including the school resource officers, chief, and deputy chief.
"Their responses are also grade appropriate, grade level appropriate, interactions with families, and there are times that their involvement, they don't become involved, and there's others that they do," she said.
Chair Coyle urged parents to talk with their children about appropriate language and behavior in school, noting that some students may not understand the seriousness of making threatening statements.
"Any kids that may be listening to this or may see this in some way, shape or form, it's not a joke," Coyle said. "We've heard from administration at the Middle School that the way they talk to each other is just, 'I'm going to shoot you.' You can't say that in a school."
The committee included a copy of a letter sent to Woodsdale families regarding safety protocols in their meeting materials to provide transparency about the steps taken when threats are reported.
In other business, the committee:
- Received an update on the fiscal year 2026 budget, which represents a 5.0 percent increase over the current fiscal year's budget. The proposed budget of $32,354,265 will be presented at town meeting on April 7.
- Approved amendments to the Abington High School student handbook, including new language addressing the use of artificial intelligence and updated academic integrity policies.
- Welcomed Melanie Savicke as the next principal of Woodsdale Elementary School, effective July 1. Savicke currently serves as assistant principal at Beaver Brook Elementary School.
- Heard a presentation on the Woodsdale School Improvement Plan from Principal Jennifer Barresi.
- Received updates on summer programs, including the middle school summer academy and extended school year services for eligible special education students.
- Reappointed Dr. Moschella to serve as the district's representative on the boards of directors for both Reeds Collaborative and North River Collaborative for the 2025-2026 school year.
The meeting concluded with recognition of Vice Chair Danielle Grafton, who is completing her six-year tenure on the school committee.
The next regular school committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle High School Library. The committee will also meet briefly before town meeting on April 7.