Florida education leaders demand parents be educated about false threats

Education leaders in Florida want parents to be reminded annually that their children may face consequences if they report false threats of violence.

The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved a rule change that would require school districts to offer training to parents and guardians on the use of FortifyFL, an app through which anonymous tips about suspicious activity can be sent. Students are already receiving such an education.

The training outlines possible consequences for students who make threats or false reports.

“Parents need to understand that all threats will be taken seriously and will result in serious consequences, including for parents,” Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said at the state board meeting at Caribe Royale Orlando.

Chairman Ben Gibson said it was important for parents and guardians to understand the potential consequences of false threats.

“False threats will not be tolerated,” Gibson said. “School safety is (our) number one priority. “And anything that interferes with that and interferes with the safety of our students, we’re going to get to the bottom of it and make sure that it won’t be tolerated.”

Under the new rule, “education must disclose the possible consequences, including disciplinary actions and possible criminal charges, that may occur at the school for any person who makes a threat or false statement regarding the school or school personnel property, school transportation, or a school-sponsored activity.” ”

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When the board met at Tallahassee State College in October, member Ryan Petty suggested that parental accountability when it comes to threats “might be something the Legislature needs to address next year.”

The rule change is tied to a new state law (HB 1473) that includes safety training provided to students during the first five days of the school year. Part of the training includes instructions on FortifyFL.

Since the first training sessions this year, “we have seen a tremendous increase in the number of tips for FortifyFL, mostly false tips,” said Darren Norris, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Safe Schools Office.

In September, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood noted a series of false reports made through FortifyFL. Chitwood also released the mug shot of an 11-year-old boy accused of making threats at a middle school, threatening to publicly shame minors who threatened violence at the school.

“If parents, you don’t want to raise your children, I’m going to start raising them,” Chitwood said at a Sept. 14 press conference. “Every time we make an arrest, your child’s photo will be released. And if I could, I would parade your child around as a criminal so everyone can see what your child is up to.”

Chitwood added that if the parents can prove they knew what was going on and did nothing, “the criminal can walk away with (their child).”