Joint Statement from Burke County Public Schools and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office Regarding Threats Made Against Schools
During the past few weeks, Burke County Public Schools and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office have been involved in an increased number of reports of threats on social media made by students and against our schools. School violence and threats of violence at schools are very serious matters and are not taken lightly. Burke County Public Schools, in partnership with the Burke County Sheriff's Office, takes a firm stance on any and all situations related to threats of school violence in Burke County.
Students should understand that any language indicating school violence on social media, in emails, in web searches, or in any other format is considered threatening, and will result in the most severe consequences outlined by the student code of conduct, which can lead to suspensions and expulsions. Additionally, law enforcement is prepared to charge offenders to the fullest extent, which can result in criminal cases that could follow a student well beyond high school.
We want to send a clear message that threats against our schools are taken seriously. Each threat is investigated to the fullest. We do not downplay any threat, therefore they take countless man hours from law enforcement and school staff to investigate. These investigations take time away from law enforcement working on other crimes and school administrators from focusing on the instructional day.
School safety is the responsibility of everyone in the community. We are calling on parents, coaches, church leaders, youth leaders, mentors, relatives, neighbors and peers to join us in talking to students about how serious it is to make a threat or share a threat against a school. In many cases, these threats are hoaxes, spouted off in anger, or are old threats copied, pasted and shared off social media from other schools around the country. Nonetheless, we are diligent about investigating all of them.
Safety is our top priority. We cannot stress enough that we want students and staff to say something if they see something by telling a trusted adult or reporting it on the See Something, Say Something app (www.sandyhookpromise.org). Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter and for partnering with us to keep our schools and communities safe.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mike Swan, Superintendent Burke County Public Schools
Sheriff Banks Hinceman, Burke County Sheriff’s Office