Superintendent praises swift response after OOBHS “swatting” call; district highlights awards and student events

Superintendent John Suttie told the RSU 23 School Board on April 16 that Old Orchard Beach High School received a "swatting" call on April 10 and that law enforcement, using the district’s Raptor emergency response system, cleared the scene within 12 minutes. A community notification was issued about 20 minutes after the call; Suttie expressed appreciation for the coordinated response from law enforcement and school staff.

Chair Craig Evans commended School Resource Officer Adam Tichy for his role in school safety; the board noted that Officer Tichy was named Old Orchard Beach Police Officer of the Year for 2026. Suttie also reported that vernal pool testing took place on campus April 16 to inform potential future building-site planning and said he will provide test results to the board when available.

In other superintendent updates, Suttie recapped the OOB Scholarship Fund’s April 14 breakfast: in 2025 the fund awarded $110,000 to 31 students, an average award of roughly $3,600 per recipient. He also said the district’s demographic study indicates stable enrollment projections through 2035.

Student Representative Ransom Randall reported that spring sports are underway (the baseball team traveled to Florida on team fundraising), that the RSU 23 Special Olympics is scheduled for May 18 from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, that the concert band performed at Merrill Auditorium on April 7, and that prom will be held at Mariner’s Church in Portland.

Superintendent Suttie and Chair Evans noted the board’s interest in receiving vernal pool testing results to guide facilities planning.