Monastery, N.S. school closed after threats made: RCMP

A Nova Scotia school is closed on Wednesday after apparent threats were made against it, one day after it was revealed racist graffiti had been found at the school.

RCMP say the East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy in Monastery is shut down after consultation between police and the Strait Regional School Board.

READ MORE: Racist graffiti painted on Antigonish school: N.S. RCMP

According to police, it is investigating after it was shared on social media that “individual(s) were heard making verbal threats” towards the Primary to Grade 12 school.

On Monday night, police were notified about racially and culturally insensitive graffiti on the exterior of the building that included the “N” word and a crude remark against Indigenous people.

Investigators have determined that the graffiti was painted between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on March 5.

Cpl. Dal Hutchinson, a spokesman for the RCMP, said the two incidents are being treated as separate matters by police, but investigators will try to determine whether there is a connection.

He said when the school reopens there will be a police presence to reassure students and parents of their safety.

Many of the children who attend the school are residents of the Paqtnkek First Nation, located about 10 kilometres from the facility.

One parent posted photos of the racist graffiti on his Facebook page, adding, “School my kids go to. Nice, eh?”

Police said that by Tuesday afternoon most of the red spray paint had been removed or covered up, but that evening a notice went out to parents from school principal Richard Britten saying the school was closing, based on the advice of police.

RCMP say they are continuing to investigate the threats and are asking anyone with information to contact them at (902) 447-2525 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

With files from The Canadian Press

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