Parents push for stiffer bullying penalties after threat at Union Co. school

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — For the second time in a week, bullying and dangerous threats were reported at Porter Ridge Middle School in Union County.

A mom said a student threatened to shoot her son in the face.

District officials wouldn't comment on the recent threat, but said they did not find a gun on the school grounds.

Angela Cipriano said a student on her son's school bus threatened to shoot him.

She said those type of violent threats are unacceptable.

"I’m upset,” Cipriano said. “My son's anxiety is through the roof right now. When you joke like that, it's not a joke. I don't ever want another Sandy Hook, and the school has to do something before that happens.”

Union County officials wouldn't give details on if or how those students involved were disciplined.

Cipriano said her son has faced constant bullying at Porter Ridge Middle School, and that another student slapped him in September and the same student punched him in the face last month.

Cipriano doesn’t think the student was punished.

District leaders didn’t comment.

"Discipline needs to be worse,” Cipriano said.

Cipriano joined other parents who made similar complaints last week and pushed for harsher penalties for students who bully, make threats and/or bring weapons to school.

District officials said Porter Ridge, and all of the schools in the district, have anti-bullying plans and ongoing activities to reinforce appropriate behavior.

"When you threaten with a weapon, or to physically hurt, it's unacceptable,” Cipriano said.

Parents said expulsion should be an option in serious bullying cases.

Last week, another family at the school said a student threatened to cut their son’s throat, and the student was found with a knife on campus.

The family said they want leaders to expel students who make threats and bring weapons on school grounds.

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