‘Credible Threat’ Forces Peekskill High Graduation Venue Change
A “credible threat” made on Facebook from a 17-year-old male student at Peekskill High School towards other students has forced district officials to move graduation ceremonies later this month from the traditional school field to the Paramount Theater.
During a press conference Friday afternoon, Police Chief Eric Johansen said the threat was discovered and reported in March and an unidentified student was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats. The student is out on bail and has been expelled from school.
Superintendent of Schools James Willis announced the change of venue on the district’s website and said the decision was made after “great deliberations” between the Police Department, Board of Education and the district’s head of security.
“This move is one of precaution and safety,” Willis stated. “We have every confidence in our security staff and the Peekskill city police that these wonderful graduation ceremonies will take place without incident. We all recognize the longstanding history of the outdoor high school location for graduation, but in today’s society, we also know that taking precautionary steps to ensure safety is the wise thing.”
The graduation ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m. at the Paramount. Each student will still receive four tickets for admission and seating will be on a first come, first seated basis. Additional security measures will be taken upon each individual’s entry to the theater on Brown Street.
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