JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Duval County Public Schools has upped its security at its high schools after the district reports multiple threats to multiple schools were made over social media this week.
DCPS and school leaders remained tight-lipped when speaking to Action News Jax, saying they don’t want to jeopardize the investigation.
On Wednesday Action News Jax reported on a student-run Black Lives Matter rally at Sandalwood High School.
“When we met with the organizers today, they talked about how the message was about Black history matters, and making sure we didn’t overshadow Black history, and of course we had another few individuals who wanted to change the narrative,” Sandalwood High School principal Dr. Saryn Hatcher said.
It comes after students told Action News Jax racially insensitive remarks were made in a Microsoft Teams group chat among students earlier in the week.
Hours later, DCPS notified families of threats made over social media.
“We became aware of threats of potential violence and we wanted to take the steps to be safe,” DCPS spokesperson Tracy Pierce said.
Pierce says some of those threats were made in the student chat group at Sandalwood High School.
Pierce added that staff at all high schools are doing backpack checks and using metal detectors as students enter the buildings for class.
Pierce says students can expect those heightened security measures for at least through the end of the week.
“I feel safe sending my kids there,” Heather Seconder said.
She’s a mom of two high schoolers in DCPS.
Seconder commends the district in taking swift action.
She reminds students to trust their teachers.
“Listen to authority, listen to the teachers, if they tell you to do something, by golly there’s a reason they’re asking you to do it, go ahead and do it,” Seconder said.
Cox Media Group
