Phone threat ‘not credible’ says GSA head after evacuation

A vehicle from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office outside George Stevens Academy on the morning of Feb. 2. Photo by John Boit.

This story has been updated with additional information.

Feb. 2, 2026

By John Boit

BLUE HILL—George Stevens Academy was evacuated on Monday morning, Feb. 2, after receiving an “imminent threat” by phone, school officials said.

School spokesperson Amy Strother said all students are safe.

“This morning when staff returned to school offices from the weekend, we received a voicemail that contained an imminent threat,” school officials said in a message to parents. “We have activated our evacuation protocols. Where possible, students have been told to stay at home. Any student who has arrived at school has been evacuated to the designated evacuation site. You should communicate with your student to coordinate pickup there. If you require a drop off, we will coordinate one via our school vehicles.”

At least two law enforcement vehicles were on the scene on Monday morning.

“Following an immediate investigation, it was determined that the call was consistent with a nationwide hoax involving computer‑generated messages,” Lt. Brian Archer of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office said in an email to The Rising Tide.

Officials from the Blue Hill Consolidated School, located next to GSA, also sent out a notice to parents.

“At this time, there is no indication that this situation involves Blue Hill Consolidated School and we are safe and sound,” the note from BHCS principal Dan Ormsby said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have taken proactive steps to ensure the safety of our students and staff. All classrooms are secured, and we are closely monitoring our building. We will not be allowing individuals to enter or exit the school unless their identity and purpose are clearly confirmed. School is continuing as normal inside the building, and students are safe and supervised. Hancock County Sheriff’s Office deputies are also in the area,” Ormsby said.

The Bangor Daily News reported the threat was one of at least three such threats received across the state. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page that “[l]aw enforcement is actively working to identify the source of the call.”

GSA school head Dan Welch issued an update to parents later the same day.

“Deputies from the Hancock County Sherriff’s office have swept the building, along with GSA Administration, and confirmed that the threat was not credible. Across Maine, and nationwide, many other schools were targeted by these threats. Although the threats were not credible, out of an abundance of caution, GSA will remain closed for the rest of the day and reopen Tuesday, February 3.” 

Welch noted that the school practices drills for such situations.

“Even a false threat of danger is stressful in uncertain situations,” Welch said.

School Union 93 superintendent Derek Perkins said all five schools in his district, which includes Blue Hill Consolidated, went into “lockout” mode upon hearing of the reported threat at GSA shortly before 8 a.m.

“Unfortunately, situations like this are becoming far too common across the State of Maine,” Perkins said in an email to school families. “I want to take this opportunity to thank our local law enforcement agencies for their swift response and continued partnership. These hoaxes place unnecessary strain on emergency resources and attempt to disrupt the safe, nurturing environments our schools work hard to maintain.”