Jackson Schools Investigating Threat

Jackson County Board of Education addressed concerns from parents Thursday night about an alleged threat of violence made against the school system via social media.

Director of Schools Jason Hardy said the school system has worked with Homeland Security and local law enforcement to investigate the threat. Hardy said after an investigation they have not found any credible threat. Hardy said his top priority is ensuring the safety of the students and staff.

“As we know going across the state of Tennessee and not just Tennessee really all states right now there’s threats going,” Hardy said. “I mean it’s running rampant, but once again it doesn’t matter how many there are and how many counties when we get them here in Jackson County we are going to take every one of them serious.”

Hardy said the alleged threat escalated on social media before the school could release an official statement. Hardy said more security will be present on school campuses on Friday and that a better system can be put in place to ensure the safety of the schools in the future.

“Maybe this will kind of help us moving forward that if there is something concerning as a parent or a child that it’s handled through law enforcement or the school administration and not social media,” Hardy said. “That helps a lot for us.”

Citizen Linda Stanford said she would like to see the school system take more measures to ensure safety. Stanford referenced suggested metal detectors or finding a way to get the community involved in monitoring school campuses.

“Maybe there should be a committee that kind of gets the community involved in this,” Stanford said. “Since it is all of our kids and we all have a stake in it.”

Jackson County Sheriff Marty Hinson said back in July at the Sheriff’s conference he was told that the state is working on a grant for schools to purchase metal detectors. Former Gainesboro Aldermen Ricky Head said something needs to be done because he has a daughter who is scared to go to school.

“Is there something in place to make them feel safe,” Head said. “I mean they shouldn’t be going to school scared. I’ll guarantee you tomorrow you are going to have the lowest attendance you’ve ever had.”

Hardy said the school is open to all options to improve safety measures for the school system.

“We are going to try to get something together,” Hardy said. “Whether it’s a committee or a stakeholder night and talk about what options we have. We have some things that we have to go by legally, we are dealing with minors and all those types of things but it’s a good idea.”

In other business, Hardy provided an update on ESSER funds. Hardy said the school should spend the last amount of ESSER funds by the end of the month. Hardy said most of the ESSER funds were spent by the end of the previous fiscal year.