Parents sue governor and school district in Tennessee, alleging children unfairly punished
Tennessee parents file lawsuit against governor and school district over misinterpretation of state statute, leading to child discipline.
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A federal lawsuit has been filed against Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Williamson County School District by two families. They claim that their middle school children were wrongly arrested, strip-searched, placed in solitary confinement, and subjected to evaluations. This extreme chain of events was triggered by officials misinterpreting conversations between peers as “threats of mass violence.”
The lawsuit revolves around two separate incidents in August 2023 involving middle school students who were accused of making threatening remarks. However, according to the lawsuit, the speech in question did not meet the legal definition of a threat of mass violence, as outlined in Tennessee statute 39-16-517.
Lawsuit Challenges Application of Tennessee Statute
The lawsuit specifically challenges the way school officials applied Tennessee statute 39-16-517, a 2021 “zero tolerance” law designed to address threats of mass violence on school property. The law mandates the expulsion of students for one year if they are found to have made such threats.
In one incident, a 14-year-old boy, identified as B.N., was accused of making threats involving firearms. However, the boy denied these claims, stating that he had only relayed a conversation he had with a peer about the firearms owned by the peer’s grandfather.
Following interviews with school officials and police, B.N. was taken into custody for allegedly violating the Tennessee statute on threats of mass violence. He was subjected to solitary confinement, strip-searched, and ultimately placed under house arrest.
Severe Treatment and Emotional Impact
The lawsuit highlights the severe treatment endured by the students, including being banned from school grounds and facing lengthy suspensions under the zero tolerance policy. The emotional toll on the students is described as severe and debilitating.
The second incident involved a 13-year-old student, identified as H.M., whose text in a school email group chat was misinterpreted as a threat of mass violence. The lawsuit reveals that the text was a response to teasing about the student’s appearance.
H.M. was arrested, strip-searched, and questioned about personal matters while in custody. The student was also suspended from school and ordered to undergo mental health evaluations.
Legal Action and Call for Change
The families’ attorney, Larry Crain, has stated that the lawsuit aims to challenge the constitutionality of the zero tolerance law as applied to innocent acts by children. The legal action also seeks compensatory damages against the school district for violating its own policies.
Everytown for Gun Safety has highlighted the negative impact of zero tolerance policies on students, particularly those from marginalized communities. The organisation advocates for a more compassionate and intervention-focused approach to address behavioural issues in schools.
The incidents in Tennessee serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of misinterpreting student conversations and the need for a more nuanced and supportive approach to school discipline.
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Parents sue governor and school district in Tennessee for punishment of kids after misinterpretation of state statute
Tennessee parents file lawsuit against governor and school district over punishment of children due to misreading of state law.
