CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – The Clay County sheriff and the Clay County District Schools superintendent recently released three videos on social media detailing the county’s “zero tolerance policy” for school threats. The videos from the county discuss addressing school threats, talking to children about them and explaining how they investigate tips.
This comes after multiple counties in Northeast Florida have arrested students accused of making school threats.
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“I want to assure all of you that any sort of tip, no matter what format they come in, is investigated thoroughly,” Sheriff Michelle Cook said in the video on how they investigate tips.
Cook said their investigation into the tips starts by looking for the person who provided it.
Then, the sheriff’s office tries to find the person who made the original statement they are investigating. After that, they have to figure out the context of the statement made.
Following that step, they focus on intent and try to figure out if it was meant to cause harm.
She said this is done through extensive interviews and searches.
“Now simultaneously, while all that criminal investigation is going on, there’s a school investigation,” Cook said.
But Cook emphasized that even jokes can have serious consequences if the disruption is big enough and said parents need to have that conversation with their students.
“Parents, let me be very clear,” she said. “You are responsible for your child’s behavior, and if your child engages in any sort of threat or disruption of school function you can also be held accountable.”
Superintendent David Broskie explained their investigation is carried out through a threat assessment team. This typically consists of four people.
It includes a school administrator, school resource officer, a guidance counselor and a teacher or adult who personally knows the student being looked into.
Broskie said the threat assessment is based on a state-wide model.
He also noted if anything is found a robo-call will be sent out and then a follow-up call will also be made.
And he also had this message for students, “If you disrupt a Clay County school, you are receiving disciplinary consequences. That’s a fact.”
Broskie broke down the consequences on the school side.
He said the default punishment for a confirmed threat is a 10-day suspension and a recommendation of expulsion from the school system.
“We’re going to handle that to the maximum extent that we can,” he said. “So please please, please think before you say something. Pause before you post.”
Both the sheriff and superintendent said if students hear anything they find concerning, it’s best to always let someone know.