Members of the Rutherford County Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution Thursday to push for harsher consequences for students who threaten their school.
The resolution calls for the Tennessee General Assembly to pass legislation allowing for the revocation of the driver’s license of students who make false bomb threats or other threats against their school.
“Many of the punishments for such actions are not sufficient deterrents to some students. The revocation of a student’s driver license may be a more effective deterrent for some students,” said Director of Schools James Sullivan.
Board member Tammy Sharp proposed the resolution after working in collaboration with Representative Robert Stevens, R-Smyrna.
“I’m supportive of this because all the time we get texts, the board members get texts, and everybody is just like okay, it’s another day. And we know sometimes these threats are unfounded, but we can’t take that risk, so every situation is followed through even though we realize it probably is a hoax,” said Sharp. “I truly believe if there is something with a little bit more teeth in it legislatively that it will deter some from doing that.”
The resolution outlines four parts to codify new proposed consequences for students.
The first urges the Tennessee General Assembly to pass legislation allowing for the suspension of a driver’s license for any student that makes threats against their peers, teachers or schools, or posted threats online.
The second recognizes that the suspension period should be determined by the severity and frequency of the threats and take into account any prior offenses.
The third requests that students who have their driver license suspended should be required to demonstrate an understanding of the consequences of their actions.
Finally, the board urges the state legislature to collaborate with school districts, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations to ensure effective implementation of the legislation.
Board chair Sheila Bratton told Sharp that she’d like to see the resolution expanded to include students who have yet to get their license to prevent them from obtaining it until they are 18 if they threaten their school.
The board did not include that suggestion in the final resolution.
