Rumors of violence lead to thousands skipping school in Robeson and Dillon counties

Florence, SC (WPDE) — Rumors of shootings and violence spread on social media have impacted Robeson and Dillon County School Districts.

Dillon School District Four Superintendent Ray Rogers said about 800 of a little more than the 900 students enrolled at Dillon High School were signed out of school Monday.

The student parking lot showed the obvious signs that a mass of students left school or were signed out by parents.

“Had 800 kids cheated today. They were cheated out of their education by a rumor today,” said Rogers.

Rumors started Sunday night and spread like wild fire by Monday morning.

Rogers said several of his district administrators came in early to deal with the situation and immediately got the Dillon High School’s resource officer involved.

He added the officer thoroughly investigated and found no actual threat was made on social media.

Rogers said it just boiled down to a rumor.

The public schools of Robison County also had extra security Monday morning at St. Pauls High School, Purnell Swett High School and Lumberton High Schoolfollowing rumors of violence, according to the Public Schools of Robeson County Communications Director Tasha Oxendine.

Some parents of students at St. Pauls High School in Robeson County reached out to us about an automated voice mail message they received Sunday night from the school district about the rumors. .

One parent said the school’s principal assured them in that message that things would be under control and police are involved.

Still, some parents chose to keep their children home from school.

Robeson County School District Interim Superintendent Dr. Shanita Wooten released the following statement regarding the false threats:

“Public Schools of Robeson County district administrators/staff and school administrators began receiving calls and texts on Sunday about social media posts and texts that were threatening in nature for St. Pauls High School and Lumberton High School.

Our principals and law enforcement spent a great deal of time and resources throughout the night and early morning hours to ensure that these rumors were not credible.

School administrators and local law enforcement investigated the validity and attempted to identify the sources quickly. Students who are determined to have made such threats will face disciplinary action as well as potential legal consequences.

The safety of our students and staff is of paramount importance. We always take any threat against our schools very seriously. The Public Schools of Robeson County in partnership with law enforcement and school communities will exhaust every resource as we continue to investigate all threats. PSRC administrators, staff, and School Resource Officers will remain on high alert due to the rumored threats.

We will continue to review and revise school safety plans, use metal detectors intermittently, and practice safety drills. We are also working to coordinate violence prevention programs for our school leaders and students. When there are active threats extra school resource officers will also be present.”

Rogers said he understands parents’ concerns and that they’re scared because of what happened in Florida and other parts of the country, but he urges parents to trust district administrators.

Rogers said they have the child’s best interest at heart and wouldn’t let anything happen to them.

He said they plan to have a regular school day Tuesday and if anything should happen, they’ll immediately alert parents as the Dillon School District Four has always done.