OCPS stiffens punishments for threats

Effective immediately, any Orange County Public Schools student with a weapon making a threat against a school will face full exclusion and expulsion from the district. 

“The changes are in response to the increase in school disruptions caused by social-media posts and rumors about school threats over the last several weeks,” Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez said in an evening phone call to parents Thursday, Oct. 17. “The changes will ensure that the individuals involved in making threats, or participating and spreading the threats, face the appropriate discipline.”

Vazquez's announcement came just hours after threats disrupted both Edgewater and Timber Creek high schools. Orlando Police Department officers on Oct. 17 investigated a phone threat made to Edgewater and concluded it was not credible. On the same day at Timber Creek, students were evacuated after the school received a bomb threat. That threat is under investigation.

This week, the state also announced more severe consequences for making a spread or false report through the Fortify Florida app, Vazquez said.

“Making a threat is not a joke, nor should it be used as prank,” she said. “This week, our middle- and high-school students have been required to take a Canvas course explaining the consequences of making any type of threat against our schools. Our elementary students are having age-appropriate review of changes during the quarterly review, as well.”