ACCOMAC, Va. (Delmarva Now) -- Accomack County's school superintendent assured local students of their safety following the latest national school shooting and a threat rumored to have been made against county schools.
"As you know, we have many security measures in place in our schools," said Superintendent W. C. "Chris" Holland in a letter dated Thursday, Feb. 22. Holland was not available for comment Friday.
Holland said the school district is "joining together with local police agencies to address disturbing social media posts or comments made that could be perceived as a threat."
People posting on social media, including Facebook and Twitter, late Wednesday and Thursday described rumors of a threat made concerning a county school. The local rumors come after a Feb. 14 school shooting in Florida in which a gunman killed 17 students and staff.
The rumors also come after several students were charged with threatening schools in Hampton Roads.
Holland in the letter said "any threat made against any one of our schools — even those made 'as a joke' — will have serious repercussions, including potential criminal charges and a possible recommendation for expulsion from school."
Holland said he is reinforcing that message with students — and asked for families' help doing so at home.
"We have a responsibility to treat information regarding school safety with caution; the oversharing of misinformation in most cases will create problems, not prevent them." he wrote.
Holland asked that any social media "or other threat" be reported directly to law enforcement and school officials, rather than sharing it through social media.
"Quite simply, if you hear or see something, say something," he wrote.
Holland also encouraged parents to monitor students' online activity, keep an open line of communication and talk with them "about recent local and national incidents."
"Schools are a place where students deserve to learn free from fear," Holland said.
