Since the start of the 2024-2025 school year in Polk County, 24 students have been arrested for written or online threats, Superintendent Fred Heid announced on Thursday.
Heid held a press conference with Sheriff Grady Judd on the recent surge in threats since the fatal shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia earlier this month.
“Students will be arrested. They will be charged with a second-degree felony,” said Heid. “And from the school district’s perspective, we will pursue the fullest extent of the consequences for any student or any non-student member of our community who phones these in or posts something online or social media or email.”
Heid said the school district will also seek restitution for the time and resources spent investigating school threats.