Gulf District Schools gain viral attention for signs warning ‘deadly violence’ to those harming students
When Jim McKnight, Wewahitchka resident and director of the Gulf County Economic Development Coalition, posted a photo of the new sign hanging on Wewahitchka High School’s door to Facebook, he didn’t expect it to go viral.
But just a few days later, his photo had been picked up by national news outlets and shared more than 1,000 times.
“It has been shared by thousands, including Jodi Thibodeau Rustin, whose post was shared 606 times. Her comment ‘I wouldn’t raise my kids anywhere else’ says it best,” McKnight said.
The signs, which were implemented at all Gulf County public schools, read “Warning: Staff members are armed and trained. Any attempt to harm children will be met with deadly force.”
Gulf District Schools have been in discussions about making adjustments to their school safety plans for several months, though these meetings and the subject material discussed within them are not a matter of public record.
In a statement to the press, Jim Norton, the Superintendent of Gulf District Schools said “readiness and preparation is key for our ability to do what is necessary to respond should an actual threat be made. In saying that, it’s in all our best interests that some features of our plans not be publicly divulged.”
“…As far as posted signage goes, its purpose isn’t meant for gaining notoriety, but simply to convey the message most everyone should agree with… we are prepared to protect the children entrusted to us.”
The school district has been part of the state’s guardian program for three years, under which school employees can volunteer to be trained and armed to help prevent or abate active shooter situations.
Each school also has a school resource officer through the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.