Rumors that a former student was going to bring a semiautomatic rifle to a Slate Hill high school had parents, students and faculty on high alert Thursday.

There was an increased police presence at Minisink Valley High School after the rumors spread. The school superintendent informed parents in a letter about the threat that was to occur on May 11. Minsink school officials say that a former high school student made the threats last year in an e-mail, and police believe the e-mail may have surfaced again.

Many students decided to stay home but others thought it was just a rumor and nothing else. And, as it turned out, the threat was just rumor.