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Parents demand answers after Chromebook 'TikTok' incidents, alleged false arrest and rising safety concerns
Summary
Multiple parents told the Tehachapi Unified board about a TikTok challenge that damaged Chromebooks, a student's arrest the family says was unjust, and broader bullying and safety problems; district officials said incidents were addressed at site level and that participation in dangerous TikTok challenges has dropped after local responses.
Parents, concerned citizens and staff used the May 13 Tehachapi Unified School District meeting to press the board for clearer answers about student safety after a rash of incidents tied to social media and ongoing bullying.
Several speakers described a recent TikTok challenge that encouraged students to short out Chromebook chargers and potentially ignite batteries. "We have addressed this at the site level and in the Parent Square message," Superintendent Francis Lynch told the board during his update, adding that local administrative responses "seems to have brought our students' participation to a rapid end."
But parents who spoke during public comment said the school's response was uneven and in one case harmful. Jennifer Jolley, a parent, said her 15-year-old son was publicly humiliated and arrested on campus…
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