April has been a challenging month for students and staff at Lake Minneola High School.
On April 8, the school was placed on lockdown following a report of a possible weapon on campus.
While that incident was under investigation, a bomb threat was also received at the Minneola public school.
Student charged for posting bomb threat on Instagram
“The original report of a weapon on campus was unfounded,” according to an email to the Daily Commercial from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The email included an arrest report stating that Jerimiah Bolton, 18, was taken into custody the morning of April 27 and booked into the Lake County Jail. At the time of reporting, he did not have a bond.
His charges include making a written threat of mass terrorism, a second-degree felony, and disrupting a school function, a second-degree misdemeanor.
In the arrest report, sheriff’s deputies confirmed that Bolton posted on Instagram that a bomb was about to go off in 10 minutes, adding, “Sorry about the loss.”
The report also indicated that Bolton posted the threatening message because he was experiencing “stomach problems.”
Substitute teacher removed for troubled behavior
On April 20, a substitute teacher was removed from the school for erratic behavior, according to WKMG News 6.
Lake County deputies told the station that Angela Faith Jourdan “was yelling incoherently, slamming her hands on a desk, and making inappropriate sexual comments to students.”
Students told investigators that Jourdan danced inappropriately in front of them and referred to herself as a “million-dollar prostitute” while making disturbing comments. School administrators instructed her to leave the classroom, but she refused and was ultimately restrained and escorted out by a school resource officer.
In body camera video, Jourdan spoke angrily and defensively with her eyes wide open and arms folded. Students expressed concern about her state of mind, and a sheriff’s report said she had a history of bipolar disorder.
Lake County School Board Chair Bill Mathias said he was informed immediately and commended the students for how they handled the incident.
She faces misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, simple battery, and two counts of disrupting a school function and was not placed under arrest.
Last school year, Lake Minneola High earned a “B” grade from the state. For the 2025–26 school year, LMHS is ranked No. 195 in Florida and No. 25 in the Orlando metro area by U.S. News & World Report.
Can stressful classroom conditions trigger a mental health episode?
The National Education Association reported last year that, rather than focusing time on classroom instruction, the average public school teacher in the state now spends about seven hours per month managing student outbursts and other behavioral health issues. According to survey results, middle school teachers lose closer to 10 hours of instructional time per month.
“We’re at a crisis point in public education that’s only going to get worse — until administrators, school boards, and state legislators take corrective action to restore our schools to safe and healthy learning environments,” says DSEA President Stephanie Ingram.
Are resources available for mental health crises?
Lake County Schools assigns a mental health liaison on campus to provide services for both students and staff.
According to the district, the 2025-26 mental health plan is a framework that establishes a system of services through collaboration among the district, school-based mental health professionals, school administrators and staff, community agencies, and local mental health providers.
Employee Assistance Programs, teletherapy, and apps such as Headspace or Calm are also available to help combat burnout in Florida schools.
What does subbing at Lake County Schools involve?
According to Lake County Schools guidelines, the requirements below must be met. These may change for the next school year.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Lake Minneola High navigates bomb threat, substitute incident in April
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
