Police: Man opposed to school mask mandate threatens to burn down son’s school

(Miami-Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation)

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade police arrested a 37-year-old man Monday on accusations that he threatened to burn down his son’s private, Jewish school.

According to Mark Polyakov’s arrest report, his son was expelled from Scheck Hillel Community School last week over comments Polyakov made on a chat involving other parents that was named “No More Masks Hillel.”

Recommended Videos



Police said Polyakov posted several messages on the chat, including “You should of told that board member go f*** yourself. We will leave and burn Hillel down to the ground. That’s why their rankings have steadily gone down! What’s his name? This board member.”

According to the arrest report, Polyakov also posted a photo of the school’s athletic field and wrote, “I want to burn this school to the f***in ground! This is what they are doing outside, forcing f***in masks (in) 80 degrees. You can’t be nice. Gets you nowhere.”

Police said an anonymous parent reported the comments last week to the school’s administration and Polyakov’s son was expelled from the school as a result.

Polyakov was also ordered not to return to the school campus.

Police said Polyakov took to the parents’ chat again on Thursday and wrote, “I just got kicked out of Hillel. I will burn this school down.”

Polyakov was taken into custody Monday at his home in Sunny Isles Beach.

Police said he invoked his right not to speak with detectives.

Polyakov faces one count of written threats to kill or do bodily harm.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.