The following statement is attributed to Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw, Superintendent of Schools at the Richmond County School System (RCSS):

“We are aware of an increase in social media threats that have been circulating online about our school system, neighboring school districts, and other districts around the state in the wake of the tragedy that occurred at Appalachee High School last week. While none of these threats have been deemed credible, we take every precaution and fully investigate every claim. We partner with local law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of our schools.

We appreciate our students, families and community members who have stepped forward and reported safety concerns to local authorities or our safety tip line. We encourage our community not to repost social media threats that they see online, but to share their concerns directly with law enforcement. If you see a social media post with a threat against your school, take a screenshot and send it through our online portal at rcboe.info/safetytip.

I want to assure you that the safety of our students is our highest priority, and we will always communicate directly with our parents and guardians through call, text, and email with changes to your child’s school day.

Events like this take a toll on communities, and our hearts and thoughts are with those impacted. Let’s continue to move forward together as a community to ensure our schools can remain focused on what is important: the growth and success of our students.”

The RCSS Safety Tip Line can be accessed over the phone at (706) 828-1077 or online at rcboe.info/safetytip.