Editor’s Note: Iredell-Statesville Schools Superintendent Jeff James sent the following letter to district parents and staff on September 19.

BY JEFF JAMES

Over the last week, our school and district administrators have received an abundance of calls, emails, and questions concerning the safety of our schools. We understand the emotions that may come with the recurring frequency of false reports concerning school safety. We want to assure you that we are dedicated to upholding a safe and supportive environment for our school communities.

Each time one of our schools receives a safety concern, either directly or through the Say Something reporting system, the report is investigated thoroughly by both school officials and law enforcement. We value our partnership with local law enforcement agencies and are fortunate to have a knowledgeable threat assessment team comprised of detectives and school administrators.

We want to reiterate the commitment we made last year pledging to hold students accountable so that all schools are emotionally and physically safe places to learn. This includes not only threats, but also spreading false reports and misinformation. Any student caught making a false report will receive consequences from the school and law enforcement.

We would like to remind parents and students about the severity of communicating a threat, even if the threat is intended to be a joke. A threat of mass violence on educational property is a felony in North Carolina and will be prosecuted to the highest extent. A poor decision in the moment can result in a lifetime of consequences.

We appreciate your support as we work together to keep our students and staff safe.

Dr. Jeff James is superintendent of Iredell-Statesville Schools.