Gardiner Area High School was locked down briefly Wednesday morning and police were called to deal with an out-of-control student.

No one was injured, and regular classes resumed after the 20-minute lockdown, according to Katherine Joseph, curriculum director for Maine School Administrative District 11.

She read a statement from Chad Kempton, the high school principal, that was posted on the school’s Facebook page.

“At approximately 8:30 a.m., the administration at Gardiner Area High School put the facility into lockdown mode for approximately 20 minutes. This was a preventive measure to manage a situation with a student who was unable to calm down after attempts by staff and administration to intervene. Law enforcement was requested and assisted school administration with handling this situation. There were no weapons involved. The student was removed from the building and the issue has been resolved. All students and staff are safe, no one was harmed, and the building is back to normal operation.”

Joseph said the school’s lockdown protocol, which was created through committee work, was followed and that students had been practicing in the event a lockdown was needed.

“We always do fire drill and lockdown preparation,” she said.

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Joseph said an announcement about the incident was posted on the school’s website and that parents were notified by text, email and phone calls.

The high school has 640 students, Joseph said.

“There were absolutely no weapons,” she said. “It’s unfortunate how rumors get started.”

A mother of a high school student, who did not want her name used, said she first learned of it from a text from her daughter saying, “I’m OK and unhurt.” The Gardiner woman said she did not know what was going on at the time.

“It’s kind of concerning, especially with everything going on,” she said.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams


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