A Smithtown High School East student accused of threatening a classmate with a weapon on Thursday is facing menacing charges, according to police.

According to a letter Principal Paul McNeil sent out to the community, the weapon involved was a school-supplied art tool that was being used for an instructional project under teacher supervision. The tool was not brought in from outside.

The interaction between the two students was a brief exchange that did not disrupt the classroom. The school administration was not made aware until after the police were notified.

Authorities say officers arrested the 17-year-old at the school on Friday.

He will be arraigned at youth court in Central Islip at a later date.