Franklin SSD reports parent notifications after non-credible threat; director criticizes state law

Director of Schools Dr. J. Snowden told the Franklin Special School District board that the district had sent parent notifications after an alleged threatening remark and that a subsequent investigation found the threat not credible.

Under the new state statute cited in the meeting, TCA 49-6-2701, and the district's board policy 3.204 on threat assessment teams, school districts must send parent notifications when a threat is reported to an outside law enforcement agency for assistance and investigation. Dr. Snowden said the report to the district's SROs does not count as notification to an outside agency.

Dr. Snowden said that on Sept. 24 families at both Freedom Intermediate School and Freedom Middle School received notifications tied to an alleged threatening remark. "We requested a home visit by the detective who visited the home," he said, and the detective interviewed other students. "It was determined through the investigation that the threat was not credible," Dr. Snowden said. He told the board the notification followed the statute and the district is required to report the incident in its quarterly update; the next quarterly report will be cumulative.

When a board member asked how families received the notice, Dr. Snowden said the district had received three emails and one phone call in response. He added, "I think the law was ill conceived," saying the requirement to notify parents even when an investigation finds a threat not credible could unnecessarily alarm families.

Dr. Snowden and the board framed the discussion as an informational quarterly report required by state law and district policy. No formal policy change or board action was taken; the board will receive further quarterly updates as required.

The board also discussed related safety and operations matters during the meeting, including National School Bus Safety Week recognition and other routine district updates.