Rising Threats to School Officials Since Pandemic Onset, Study Reveals

When the Broward County School Board in Florida opposed Governor Ron DeSantis' directive against face mask requirements in schools during the COVID-19 outbreak, some parents responded with hostile communications and indirect menaces.

Sarah Leonardi, upon joining the school board in Broward County at the end of 2020, found herself in the midst of these tensions. With the pandemic still spreading, Leonardi and her fellow board members faced backlash over mask enforcement, as irate parents voiced their discontent.

As COVID-19 case numbers started to decline, disputes transformed into heated debates over new matters. In late 2021, a school trip Leonardi chaperoned to a local pub—which was owned by a member of the LGBTQ+ community—attracted media attention, provoking a fresh wave of threats.

Leonardi recounted receiving emails with disturbing threats, mentioning firearms and violence. One particular message shockingly suggested selling her as a sex slave.

Each time this field trip story resurfaces in conservative outlets, Leonardi is met with new disparaging messages questioning her character.

Threats Percent Increase by 170% Following Pandemic

Research from Princeton University indicates an upsurge in threats aimed at school executives across the nation. According to their comprehensive study, threats and harassment escalated by nearly 170%. The research encompassed interviews with 39 school officials, including Leonardi, and surveyed over 820 others.

These incidents often followed national discourse concerning DEI and LGBTQ+ issues. The project’s research lead, Roudabeh Kishi, noted that the issue spans across political affiliations.

In conversations with NPR, multiple current and former board members shared stories of facing hostility, noting that pandemic-era disputes laid the groundwork for ongoing cultural conflicts.

Alexandria Ayala, a past board member from Palm Beach County, reflects on how the pandemic sparked debates about personal liberties and governmental boundaries.

Tensions Over Identity and Rights in Gettysburg

Al Moyer, a board member in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, observed how divisive issues like mask mandates strained community relationships. In 2023, controversy arose over the presence of a transgender coach, igniting further conflict.

During these events, false accusations and aggressive tones became commonplace. Moyer recalled instances of derogatory interactions, including instances where board members faced severe accusations and personal isolation.

Board members frequently encounter both legitimate and fabricated disputes, as illustrated by Russell Devorsky, a former board member from Texas, who described the challenges of dispelling widespread misinformation on social media.

The Burden of Correcting Misinformation

Simple tasks like constructing a band building can become the center of rumors, with social media exacerbating distrust through unverified claims. Devorsky shared the exhaustion of countering incorrect narratives, likening it to an uphill battle.

The Princeton study underscores concerns that harassment may deter individuals from public service roles; however, Leonardi remains committed to her role, prepared to confront the risks associated with making an impact.

Motivated by the change she wishes to accomplish, Leonardi has decided to pursue another term, accepting the inherent challenges.