School officials are investigating rumors that a hit list of students and teachers is circulating around Nansemond River High School.

The school has talked with several students and their parents about the rumor, said Bethanne Bradshaw, spokeswoman for Suffolk Public Schools. She refused to elaborate, and said so far, no student has violated a school conduct policy related to the issue.

&uot;We have specifics that we can’t really share,&uot; Bradshaw said. &uot;But we certainly want to assure parents and the public that we…and the police have investigated and feel the school is safe.

&uot;We don’t feel there is any threat at this time.&uot;

The school system takes any rumor of violence seriously, she stressed.

&uot;We believe these are just rumors that have escalated as they have gone from one person to another,&uot; Bradshaw said. &uot;We feel things have gotten blown out of proportion.&uot;

The rumor is circulating just three weeks after a Red Lake, Minn., high schooler gunned down five students and two adults before turning the gun on himself.

Also, the anniversary of the devastating Columbine High School shootings is approaching on April 20.