Florida education leaders are asking parents to be educated about fake threats

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

The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved a rule change that will require school districts to provide training to parents and guardians on how to use FortifyFL, an app where anonymous tips about suspicious activity can be submitted. Students already receive such training.

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

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

Board chairman Ben Gibson said it was important for parents and guardians to understand the potential repercussions 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 it’s not going to be tolerated.”

According to the new rule, “the training must explain the potential consequences for anyone who makes a threat or false report regarding school property or school personnel, school transportation, or a school-sponsored activity, including disciplinary actions that may occur at school and possible criminal charges. “

When the board met at Tallahassee State College in October, member Ryan Petty suggested that parental responsibility when threats are involved “may be something the Legislature needs to take up next year.”

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

Safe Schools Office Vice Chancellor Darren Norris said since the initial training sessions this year, “we have seen a tremendous increase in the number of tips to FortifyFL, predominantly false tips”.

In September, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood highlighted a rash of fake tips made through FortifyFL. Chitwood also followed through on a threat to publicly embarrass minors who have made threats of school violence by releasing the photo of an 11-year-old accused of making threats at a middle school.

“Since parents don’t want you to raise your kids, I’m going to start raising them,” Chitwood said during a Sept. 14 press conference. “Every time we make an arrest, your child’s picture will be out there. And if I could do it, I’m going to walk your baby around so everyone can see what your baby is doing.”

Chitwood added that if they could prove the parents knew what was going on and did nothing, they “would be walking the culprit with (their child).”