Barrington High to shift to remote learning as investigation of threat continues

BARRINGTON — Barrington High School is moving classes online for the last three days of school before the holiday break as authorities continue to investigate a threat of violence found in a student bathroom last week. 

In an email to parents and students Sunday afternoon, Supt. Michael Messore and High School Principal Joseph Hurley announced the decision to shift to remote learning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. 

“As you are aware, the Barrington Police Department (BPD) and Federal agencies have expanded their investigation processes working in conjunction with high school administration,” Hurley wrote. “The agencies continue to support our safety measures and are working on this matter throughout the weekend to resolve this matter.” 

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“We want to thank staff, students, and families for their continued support and patience as we work to resolve the threat made to the high school,” the principal continued. “We believe that the additional time for the investigation will provide us with the information we need to successfully and safely reopen schools on Monday, January 3, 2022.” 

The threat was found on Dec. 13 in a girls’ bathroom stall. It read: "I am shooting up the school on 12/21/21 with my dads [sic] pistol." 

In-person classes continued afterward, with police patrolling the school, but some students had called on administrators to switch to virtual classes until the investigation is completed. 

Messore said that administrators will provide updates over vacation on the reopening of school in January.