Nashua, New Hampshire schools close on 21 December due to 'threat of violence'

Officials in Nashua, New Hampshire announced on 20 December that all public schools would remained closed on 21 December due to a "specific" threat aimed at two high schools. The announcement comes on the heels of Los Angeles closing down all public schools after receiving a terror threat on 15 December.

"We have received a detailed threat of violence to harm students and staff at both high schools," Superintendent Mark Conrad announced on the school district's website on 20 December. "The threat is specific to tomorrow [21 December]. We have been working closely with the Nashua Police Department, which is still working at this time to determine the credibility of the threat."

Conrad continued, "Because the threat is specific and extends to several schools, we will be cautious and close all of our public schools in Nashua tomorrow, Monday, December 21st. I do expect our schools to reopen on Tuesday. I regret any difficulties this creates for working parents but safety must remain our first priority."

According to NBC station WMUR of Manchester, two private schools — St Christopher School and Nashua Catholic Junior High School — will also be closed on 21 December. In a statement on its website, St Christopher School Principal Cindy Clarke said: "In the interest of the safety of our students, we will also be closing school for the day. It is our hope to be back in school on Tuesday."

New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan released a statement about the school closings on Facebook. "Public safety is any government's most important responsibility — especially at our schools — and we are closely monitoring the situation in Nashua," Hassan said. "I have been in contact with Mayor Lozeau and the emergency operations center, and the State Police and state emergency management officials are working closely with the Nashua Police Department, local public safety officials and the FBI. We will continue to monitor the situation and work together at the state, local and federal levels to investigate the threat and keep our communities safe."