Escalating Threats Target School Leaders Nationwide

School Board Members Face Escalating Harassment, Fueled by Pandemic adn Misinformation

School board members across the political spectrum are increasingly finding themselves targets of harassment and threats, a disturbing trend amplified by the pandemic and the proliferation of online misinformation.

“This isn’t really like a partisan issue,” says Sarah Leonardi, a school board member who experienced backlash for taking students to a gay-owned restaurant. “We’re seeing really similar reports of experiences (on) all sides of the political spectrum.” Leonardi is one of seven current or former school board officials interviewed by NPR who detailed their experiences with harassment and threats.

The pandemic, according to Alexandria Ayala, a former school board member in Florida, ignited conversations about individual freedoms that have spilled over into broader disputes over cultural issues. “What can a government tell me to do or not do?” she questioned, highlighting the shift in public discourse.

in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Al Moyer, a ninth-year school board member, described how masking disputes frayed relationships within the district. This was followed by a controversy in 2023 surrounding a tennis coach who was transitioning to female and had used the girls’ locker room. moyer recounted a resident calling a board member who opposed renewing the coach’s contract a “Nazi” and shared that his wife lost friends over the issue.”Those two situations really caused a kind of second Civil War battle in Gettysburg,” Moyer stated. “It was pretty ugly.”

The challenge for school board members is compounded by the rise of what russell Devorsky, a retired board member from texas, calls “fake issues.” Devorsky noted how false stories on social media,such as claims of students using litter boxes in bathrooms,fuel confusion and harassment. “Even though there’s never been a school district that had that situation, people believe it,” he said.

Misinformation doesn’t discriminate, even affecting mundane issues like the construction of a new band hall, where false claims about delays and lack of instruments circulated online. Devorsky described the effort to correct such falsehoods as “like pushing a wet rope up a hill,” emphasizing the exhaustion of trying to counter widely believed misinformation propagated on social media.

Researchers from Princeton are concerned that this climate of harassment could lead experienced officials to leave public service or shy away from engaging in controversial topics. However, Sarah Leonardi remains committed, stating, “Ultimately, I decided to move forward and run again.That is just a sacrifice – or a vulnerability – I’m willing to accept for now.” Her resolve underscores the dedication of those striving to make a difference despite the escalating pressures.

What proactive steps can school leaders take to mitigate teh risk of doxing and harassment targeting themselves and their families?

The Rising Tide of Threats Against Educators

Across the united States, a disturbing trend is emerging: an increase in threats – ranging from verbal harassment to physical violence – directed at school leaders. Superintendents,principals,and other administrators are finding themselves on the front lines of escalating tensions stemming from politically charged school board meetings,pandemic-related policies,and broader societal anxieties. This isn’t simply a matter of heated debate; it’s a crisis impacting the ability of educators to lead and, crucially, to ensure safe learning environments for students. School safety,threat assessment,and educator protection are now paramount concerns.

Understanding the nature of the Threats

The threats facing school leaders are multifaceted. They include:

Direct Threats of Violence: Explicit statements indicating intent to harm school officials. These frequently enough surface on social media, through email, or during public forums.

Harassment & Doxing: Publicly revealing personal data (doxing) and subjecting leaders to relentless online and offline harassment. This can extend to their families.

Political Extremism: Threats fueled by extremist ideologies, frequently enough related to curriculum debates (e.g., critical race theory, gender identity in schools), mask mandates, and library book challenges.

Pandemic-Related backlash: Lingering anger over COVID-19 policies,including school closures,mask requirements,and vaccination protocols,continues to generate threats.

increased Polarization: The overall increase in political and social polarization contributes to a climate where disagreement quickly escalates into hostility.

Recent Examples & Case Studies

Several high-profile incidents highlight the severity of the situation:

November 2023, Oregon: The Oregon School Boards Association requested the National Guard’s assistance after a surge in threats against board members. https://www.opb.org/article/oregon-school-boards-association-national-guard-request-threats/

January 2024, Texas: A Texas school board member resigned after receiving death threats related to a book ban debate.

Ongoing – Nationwide: the National School Boards Association (NSBA) has documented a significant increase in threats and harassment against school officials, labeling it a national crisis.

These cases demonstrate that the threats are not isolated incidents but part of a widespread pattern. School board safety is a growing concern.

The Impact on School Leadership & Retention

The constant barrage of threats is taking a significant toll on school leaders:

Increased Stress & Anxiety: Living under the threat of violence or harassment creates immense psychological stress.

Difficulty Recruiting & Retaining leaders: Qualified individuals are hesitant to take on leadership roles in schools, fearing for their safety and well-being.This exacerbates existing teacher shortages and administrator shortages.

Erosion of Trust: Threats undermine the trust between school leaders and the community, making it harder to collaborate and address challenges effectively.

Impact on Decision-making: fear of retribution can influence decision-making, perhaps compromising the best interests of students.

proactive Strategies for Mitigation & Prevention

Addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach:

1. Enhanced Security Measures:

Physical Security: Improved building security, including controlled access, security cameras, and security personnel.

Cybersecurity: Protecting school websites and email systems from hacking and doxing attempts.

1. threat Assessment Teams: Establishing dedicated teams trained to identify,assess,and manage potential threats. These teams should include administrators, counselors, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. Threat management is crucial.
2. Clear Policies & procedures: Developing clear policies regarding acceptable behavior at school board meetings and other public forums.
3. Law Enforcement Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to investigate threats and provide security support.
4. Community Engagement: fostering open dialog and collaboration between schools and the community to address concerns and build trust.
5. Mental Health Support: Providing mental health resources for school leaders and staff to cope with stress and trauma.
6. Legal Recourse: Pursuing legal action against individuals who make credible threats. Legal protection for educators is vital.

Resources & Support for School Leaders

Several organizations offer resources and support to school leaders facing threats:

national School Boards Association (NSBA): https://www.nsba.org/

Association of School Administrators (ASA): https://www.asa-sl.org/

National Association of elementary School principals (NAESP): https://www.naesp.org/

National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP): https://www.nassp.org/

* Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Partner with your local police department or sheriff