Local school board member asks for help

At roughly 9 a.m. this past Wednesday, an event occurred within our community that we should all be deeply concerned about.

Jacksonville Beach police received a call from someone saying they saw four people getting out of a van with firearms near Fletcher Middle School.

The local police departments, school administrators and teachers took immediate and deliberate actions in response to a potential threat, including a lockdown of the school.

Many surrounding schools, both public and private, also issued a lockdown to ensure the safety of our community's children as a precaution.

School administrators and law enforcement officers issued an all clear shortly after 10:30 a.m., saying they did not find a weapon at Fletcher Middle and did not believe there was a threat in the area.

Student safety is the first and most important responsibility of the school district. Law enforcement agencies and school officials are reviewing all procedures and actions in an effort to improve coordinated actions in the future.

Whether the incident was a hoax or intentionally planned, the disruption, financial impact and emotional distress caused to our community, parents and students cannot be tolerated.

I ask for assistance in identifying the responsible party by contacting the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office with any information.

Last, I would like to commend all law enforcement agencies, teachers, students, parents and school administrators for their collaboration and cooperation to ensure our students were protected at a time of uncertainty.

Fred "Fel" Lee,

School Board Member, District 2

This was a letter to the editor in the FTU.